Carapace \Car"a*pace\ (k[a^]r"[.a]*p[=a]s), n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.) The thick shell or shield which covers the back of the tortoise, or turtle, the crab, and other crustaceous animals. web1913

carapace n : hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles [syn: {shell}, {cuticle}] wn