from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
turtle
n 1: a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar [syn:
{turtleneck}, {turtle}, {polo-neck}]
2: any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell
and flipper-like limbs for swimming
v 1: overturn accidentally; "Don't rock the boat or it will
capsize!" [syn: {capsize}, {turtle}, {turn turtle}]
2: hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Turtle \Tur"tle\, n. [Probably the same word as the word
preceding, and substituted (probably by sailors) for the
Spanish or Portuguese name; cf. Sp. tortuga tortoise, turtle,
Pg. tartaruga, also F. tortue, and E. tortoise.]
[1913 Webster]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata,
especially a sea turtle, or chelonian.
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Note: In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises
are also called turtles.
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2. (Printing) The curved plate in which the form is held in a
type-revolving cylinder press.
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{Alligator turtle}, {Box turtle}, etc. See under {Alligator},
{Box}, etc.
{green turtle} (Zool.), a marine turtle of the genus
{Chelonia}, having usually a smooth greenish or
olive-colored shell. It is highly valued for the delicacy
of its flesh, which is used especially for turtle soup.
Two distinct species or varieties are known; one of which
({Chelonia Midas}) inhabits the warm part of the Atlantic
Ocean, and sometimes weighs eight hundred pounds or more;
the other ({Chelonia virgata}) inhabits the Pacific Ocean.
Both species are similar in habits and feed principally on
seaweed and other marine plants, especially the turtle
grass.
{Turtle cowrie} (Zool.), a large, handsome cowrie ({Cypraea
testudinaria}); the turtle-shell; so called because of its
fancied resemblance to a tortoise in color and form.
{Turtle grass} (Bot.), a marine plant ({Thalassia
testudinum}) with grasslike leaves, common about the West
Indies.
{Turtle shell}, tortoise shell. See under {Tortoise}.
[1913 Webster]