tough-shelled
|tough/shelled|
B2
/tʌf-ʃɛld/
hard exterior
Etymology
Etymology Information
'tough-shelled' originates from the combination of 'tough' and 'shelled', where 'tough' means 'strong or durable' and 'shelled' refers to having a shell.
Historical Evolution
The term 'tough-shelled' evolved from the descriptive use of 'tough' and 'shelled' to describe animals or objects with hard exteriors.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'having a hard outer layer', and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having a hard or durable outer covering.
The turtle is a tough-shelled creature.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45