tortoiseshell

American  

[tawr-tuhs-shel] / ˈtɔr təsˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a horny substance of a mottled brown and yellow coloration, composing the laminae that cover the inner body plates of the carapace of certain tortoises or turtles, especially the hawksbill, used for making combs and ornamental articles, inlaying, etc.

2. any synthetic substance made to look like natural tortoiseshell.

3. Also tortoiseshell butterfly any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, as N. californica, having variegated markings of red, yellow, or orange on the wings.

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adjective

1. mottled or variegated like tortoiseshell, especially with yellow and brown and sometimes other colors.

2. made of tortoiseshell.

tortoiseshell British  

/ ˈtɔːtəsˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a horny translucent yellow-and-brown mottled substance obtained from the outer layer of the shell of the hawksbill turtle: used for making ornaments, jewellery, etc

2. a similar synthetic substance, esp plastic or celluloid, now more widely used than the natural product

3. a breed of domestic cat, usually female, having black, cream, and brownish markings

4. any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, and related genera, having orange-brown wings with black markings

5. another name for hawksbill turtle

6. 1. a yellowish-brown mottled colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a tortoiseshell décor

7. (modifier) made of tortoiseshell

   a tortoiseshell comb

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Etymology

Origin of tortoiseshell

First recorded in 1595–1605; tortoise + shell

Example Sentences

In 1981, Mr. Coyner, who cut a figure around town with his tortoiseshell glasses and calculator watch, joined the City Council.

From New York Times

There he stands on the Guggenheim ramps, in two painted sculptures from 1966, a rangy, slightly nerdy young man with curly brown hair, tortoiseshell glasses and an oversized shirt collar jutting from his V-neck sweater.

From New York Times

Today we mostly associate claw clips with classic colours like black and tortoiseshell.

From BBC

Little Bit, a recently departed tortoiseshell cat, was similarly obsessed — but with socks.

From Washington Post

It is not just rare species that are at risk of extinction, but normal butterflies too - common species such as the small tortoiseshell have fallen by 79% since 1976.

From BBC