chelonian

[ ki-loh-nee-uhn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the reptilian order Testudines (formerly Chelonia), comprising turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.

noun

1. a turtle, tortoise, or terrapin.

chelonian

/ kɪˈləʊnɪən /

noun

1. any reptile of the order Chelonia, including the tortoises and turtles, in which most of the body is enclosed in a protective bony capsule

adjective

1. of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of the Chelonia

chelonian

/ kĭ-lō′nē-ən /

1. Any of various reptiles of the order Chelonia (or Testudines), which includes the turtles and tortoises. Chelonians lack teeth and usually have a hard shell that protects the body and consists of bony plates fused to the vertebrae and ribs. Unlike all other living reptiles, the skulls of chelonians lack temporal openings, which is characteristic of the earliest known reptiles (called anapsids). Chelonians evolved during the late Permian or Triassic Period and have changed little since.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelonian¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin Chelōni(a) (from Greek chelṓn(ē) “turtle” + Latin -ia, neuter plural noun suffix) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of chelonian¹

C19: from New Latin Chelōnia, from Greek khelōnē tortoise

Example Sentences

Say saw one on a chelonian, and others on tritons and frogs.

From Project Gutenberg

Also the upper half of the immovable case in which the body of a Chelonian is protected.

From Project Gutenberg

The eighth group is assigned by President Hitchcock to the Chelonian or turtle tribe.

From Project Gutenberg

The Scotch footsteps are situated in the old red sandstone, and are those of a Chelonian.

From Project Gutenberg

The Chelonian tracks are two in number: the longest measures four feet ten inches; the shorter, two feet nine inches.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• tortoise