ˈkarəˌpās noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Spanish carapacho
1.
a. : a bony or chitinous case or shield covering the back or part of the back of an animal (as the upper shell of a turtle, the shell of an armadillo, or the shell of a crab)
b. : the entire shell of a turtle comprising the carapace and the plastron
2.
a. : a hard surficial crust
the carapace of a lava flow
b. : any hard protective outer covering ; specifically : a manner, attitude, or state of mind (as indifference or hostility) serving to protect or isolate from external influence
their carapace of incuriosity — William Sansom