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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



... strip of summer-light and warmth that shone upon his table and the ground as if they were a crooked dial-plate, and himself the only figure on it. With hair and whiskers deficient in colour at all times, but feebler than common in the rich sunshine, and more like the coat of a sandy tortoise-shell cat; with long nails, nicely pared and sharpened; with a natural antipathy to any speck of dirt, which made him pause sometimes and watch the falling motes of dust, and rub them off his smooth white hand or glossy linen: Mr Carker the Manager, sly of manner, sharp of tooth, soft of ...
— Dombey and Son • Charles Dickens

... want of lofty mirrors, and The tables, most of ebony inlaid With mother of pearl or ivory, stood at hand, Or were of tortoise-shell or rare woods made, Fretted with gold or silver:—by command The greater part of these were ready spread With viands and sherbets in ice—and wine— Kept for all comers ...
— The Works of Lord Byron, Volume 6 • Lord Byron

... of lizards and frogs abound; the latter make an astonishing noise in marshy places during the summer evening by their harsh croaking. The land crab is found on the northern shore of Lake Erie. A small tortoise, called a terrapin,[198] is taken in some rivers, creeks, and swampy grounds, and is used as an article of food. Seals have been occasionally seen on the islands in ...
— The Conquest of Canada (Vol. 1 of 2) • George Warburton

... Bellagio by daylight, we find it to be very much of a bazaar of souvenirs along the water-front, and everybody determined to carry away a keepsake. There is so much to buy—ornamental olive wood and tortoise-shell articles, Como blankets, lace, and what may be described in general terms as modern antiquities. These abound from shop to shop; even English groceries are available. Bellagio's principal street is suddenly converted at its northern end into a delightful arcade, after the arrangement which ...
— Seeing Europe with Famous Authors, Vol VIII - Italy and Greece, Part Two • Various

... consideration entertained by the mind which induces us to act, this tells us nothing. It is like the case of the Indian philosopher(23), who, being asked what it was that kept the earth in its place, answered, that it was supported by an elephant, and that elephant again rested on a tortoise. He must be endowed with a slender portion of curiosity, who, being told that uneasiness is that which spurs on the mind to act, shall rest satisfied with this explanation, and does not proceed to ...
— Thoughts on Man - His Nature, Productions and Discoveries, Interspersed with - Some Particulars Respecting the Author • William Godwin


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