snapping turtle
noun
either of two large, edible, freshwater turtles of the family Chelydridae, of North and Central America, having a large head and powerful hooked jaws, especially the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina.
Compare
alligator snapping turtle.
Origin of snapping turtle
An Americanism dating back to 1775–85
Words nearby snapping turtle
snapper,
snapper up,
snapperback,
snapping beetle,
snapping shrimp,
snapping turtle,
snappish,
snappy,
snapshoot,
snapshooter,
snapshot
Example sentences from the Web for snapping turtle
British Dictionary definitions for snapping turtle
snapping turtle
noun
any large aggressive North American river turtle of the family Chelydridae, esp Chelydra serpentina (common snapping turtle), having powerful hooked jaws and a rough shell
Also called: snapper