Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Turtle?

\Tur"tle\, n. [AS. turtle, L. turtur; probably of imitative origin. Cf. {Turtle} the sea tortoise.] (Zo["o]l.) The turtledove.
\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.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a sea turtle, or chelonian. Note: In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises are also called turtles. 2. (Printing) The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press. {Alligator turtle}, {Box turtle}, etc. See under {Alligator}, {Box}, etc. {green turtle} (Zo["o]l.), 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 ({C. 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} (Zo["o]l.), a large, handsome cowrie ({Cypr[ae]a 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}.