turtle
1
[ tur-tl ]
/ ˈtɜr tl /
noun, plural tur·tles, (especially collectively) tur·tle.
any reptile of the order Testudines, comprising aquatic and terrestrial species having the trunk enclosed in a shell consisting of a dorsal carapace and a ventral plastron.
(not used technically) an aquatic turtle as distinguished from a terrestrial one.
Compare tortoise(def 1).
verb (used without object), tur·tled, tur·tling.
to catch turtles, especially as a business.
Idioms for turtle
- Nautical. to capsize or turn over completely in foundering.
- to overturn; upset: Several of the cars turned turtle in the course of the race.
turn turtle,
Origin of turtle
1OTHER WORDS FROM turtle
tur·tler, nounWords nearby turtle
turret lathe,
turreted,
turrical,
turriculate,
tursha,
turtle,
turtleback,
turtledove,
turtlehead,
turtleneck,
turtlet
British Dictionary definitions for turn turtle (1 of 2)
turtle
1
/ (ˈtɜːtəl) /
noun
any of various aquatic chelonian reptiles, esp those of the marine family Chelonidae, having a flattened shell enclosing the body and flipper-like limbs adapted for swimming
Related adjectives: chelonian, testudinal
US and Canadian
any of the chelonian reptiles, including the tortoises and terrapins
nautical
a zip bag made as part of a spinnaker for holding the sail so that it can be set rapidly
turn turtle
to capsize
verb
(intr)
to catch or hunt turtles
Derived forms of turtle
turtler, nounWord Origin for turtle
C17: from French
tortue
tortoise (influenced by
turtle ²)
British Dictionary definitions for turn turtle (2 of 2)
Word Origin for turtle
Old English
turtla, from Latin
turtur, of imitative origin; related to German
Turteltaube
Idioms and Phrases with turn turtle (1 of 2)
turn turtle
Capsize, turn upside down, as in When they collided, the car turned turtle. This expression alludes to the helplessness of a turtle turned on its back, where its shell can no longer protect it. [First half of 1800s]
Idioms and Phrases with turn turtle (2 of 2)
turtle
see turn turtle.