shellshift
nounUK /ˈʃel.ʃɪft/
US /ˈʃel.ʃɪft/
A shellshift is when a shell moves or changes to a new place.
The little crab felt a shellshift as its old shell cracked and a bigger one took its place.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A sudden change in the hard outer covering of an animal.
Scientists watched a shellshift in the turtle population after the storm.
3. A shift in the pattern or color of a shell.
The sunset caused a shellshift on the beach, turning the shells pink and gold.
4. A change in the way a shell-shaped object is arranged or used.
The baker made a shellshift, moving the pasta shells from one bowl to another.