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Tortoise   /tˈɔrtəs/   Listen
noun
Tortoise  n.  
1.
(Zool.) Any one of numerous species of reptiles of the order Testudinata. Note: The term is applied especially to the land and fresh-water species, while the marine species are generally called turtles, but the terms tortoise and turtle are used synonymously by many writers. See Testudinata, Terrapin, and Turtle.
2.
(Rom. Antiq.) Same as Testudo, 2.
Box tortoise, Land tortoise, etc. See under Box, Land, etc.
Painted tortoise. (Zool.) See Painted turtle, under Painted.
Soft-shell tortoise. (Zool.) See Trionyx.
Spotted tortoise. (Zool.) A small American fresh-water tortoise (Chelopus guttatus or Nanemys guttatus) having a blackish carapace on which are scattered round yellow spots.
Tortoise beetle (Zool.), any one of numerous species of small tortoise-shaped beetles. Many of them have a brilliant metallic luster. The larvae feed upon the leaves of various plants, and protect themselves beneath a mass of dried excrement held over the back by means of the caudal spines. The golden tortoise beetle (Cassida aurichalcea) is found on the morning-glory vine and allied plants.
Tortoise plant. (Bot.) See Elephant's foot, under Elephant.
Tortoise shell, the substance of the shell or horny plates of several species of sea turtles, especially of the hawkbill turtle. It is used in inlaying and in the manufacture of various ornamental articles.
Tortoise-shell butterfly (Zool.), any one of several species of handsomely colored butterflies of the genus Aglais, as Aglais Milberti, and Aglais urticae, both of which, in the larva state, feed upon nettles.
Tortoise-shell turtle (Zool.), the hawkbill turtle. See Hawkbill.






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Tortoise" Quotes from Famous Books



... contingencies. If they had protected their country by their courage or adorned it by their studies, they would have merited, and under a king of such learning and such equity would have received in some sort, their reward. I look upon them as so many old cabinets of ivory and tortoise-shell, scratched, flawed, splintered, rotten, defective both within and without, hard to unlock, insecure to lock up again, ...
— Imaginary Conversations and Poems - A Selection • Walter Savage Landor

... one respect the two representatives of the War Office in the House of Commons are singularly alike. When answering their daily catechism both wear spectacles—Mr. FORSTER an ordinary gold-rimmed pair, Mr. MACPHERSON the fearsome tortoise-shell variety which gives an air of antiquity to the most youthful countenance; and each, when he has to answer an awkward "supplementary," begins by carefully taking off his glasses and so giving himself an extra moment or two ...
— Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 152, February 28, 1917 • Various

... elegant patterns. They are passionately fond of flowers, the dark and abundant tresses of their hair being always decorated with them, either real or artificial. Their only other adornments are a tortoise-shell comb of delicate workmanship, and a long steel pin with a ball of red coral in the end, passing through their rich raven hair. They use powder about their necks and shoulders pretty freely, and sometimes colour the under lip ...
— In Eastern Seas - The Commission of H.M.S. 'Iron Duke,' flag-ship in China, 1878-83 • J. J. Smith

... not six days of extreme heat, and the evenings, nights, and mornings are usually cool. Gold is found in all parts, although not in large quantities, but it must exist where there are traces of it. Throughout the whole island there is a great deal of wax and much tortoise-shell. Rice is sowed in all parts, and in some places in great quantities. They raise fowl, goats, and swine in all the villages, and wax they do not save. There is a great quantity of wild game, which is excellent, growing larger than in ...
— The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 - Volume X, 1597-1599 • E. H. Blair

... mouth of that valise yawned, the two men leaped forward so that their heads came together resoundingly and absurdly, but not before the bag had exposed its surface articles: a pair of tortoise-shell military brushes, a packet of documents, and a precious silver and lapis-lazuli box about the dimensions of a playing card, the kind usually dedicated to such elusive addenda as stamps, collar buttons, or sewing box in a lady's ...
— Star-Dust • Fannie Hurst


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