turtle

noun (1), often attributive

tur·tle | \ ˈtər-tᵊl

plural turtles also turtle

Definition of turtle

(Entry 1 of 3)

: any of an order (Testudines synonym Chelonia) of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal plates usually covered with horny shields enclosing the trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usually may be withdrawn

turtle

noun (2)

Definition of turtle (Entry 2 of 3)

: turtleneck

turtle

noun (3)

Definition of turtle (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic

: turtledove

History and Etymology for turtle

Noun (1)

modification of French tortue, from Late Latin (bestia) tartarucha, feminine of tartaruchus of Tartarus, from Greek tartarouchos, from Tartaros Tartarus; from Mithraic and early Christian association of the turtle with infernal forces

Noun (3)

Middle English, from Old English turtla, from Latin turtur

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More Definitions for turtle

turtle

noun

tur·tle | \ ˈtər-tᵊl

Kids Definition of turtle

: a reptile that lives on land, in water, or both and has a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony plates which covers the body and into which the head, legs, and tail can usually be drawn

turtle

noun, often attributive

tur·tle | \ ˈtərt-ᵊl

plural turtles also turtle

Medical Definition of turtle

: any of an order (Testudines) of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal plates usually covered with horny shields enclosing the trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usually may be withdrawn

— called also chelonian

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turtle

Definition of turtle

First Known Use of turtle

History and Etymology for turtle

Kids Definition of turtle

Medical Definition of turtle

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