turtle

¹

[tur-tl]

noun

plural

turtles ,

plural

turtle .

1. 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.

2. (not used technically) an aquatic turtle as distinguished from a terrestrial one.

verb (used without object)

turtled, turtling 

1. to catch turtles, especially as a business.

turtle

²

[tur-tl]

noun

Archaic.

1. a turtledove.

turtle

¹

/ ˈtɜːtəl /

noun

1. 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

2. any of the chelonian reptiles, including the tortoises and terrapins

3. nautical a zip bag made as part of a spinnaker for holding the sail so that it can be set rapidly

4. to capsize

verb

1. (intr) to catch or hunt turtles

turtle

²

/ ˈtɜːtəl /

noun

1. an archaic name for turtledove

Other Word Forms

• turtler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtle¹

1625–35; alteration (influenced by turtle ² ) of French tortue < Medieval Latin tortūca tortoise

Origin of turtle²

before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin turtur (imitative)

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtle¹

C17: from French tortue _tortoise (influenced by _turtle ²)

Origin of turtle²

Old English turtla , from Latin turtur , of imitative origin; related to German Turteltaube

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. turn turtle,

   1. Nautical. to capsize or turn over completely in foundering.

   2. to overturn; upset.

      Several of the cars turned turtle in the course of the race.

see turn turtle.

Example Sentences

"Assumption has one of the longest beaches in Seychelles, which is probably one of the most important green turtle nesting beaches in our country," says conservation campaigner Lucie Harter.

Read more on BBC

A green sea turtle found tangled in fishing line in the San Gabriel River was released back into the ocean Friday in Seal Beach after a three-month recovery at Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Tennis star Taylor Townsend is sorry for criticizing unfamiliar foods on offer while in China for a tournament — dishes including frog, turtle and sea cucumber.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“And turtles? And the fact that, like, it’s all stewed up with, like, chilies and peppers and onions and like, ‘Oh, you really made this a dish?’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"There's a question about, a turtle in the road, would one stop or move it?"

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• tortoise 

When To Use

What’s the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

The words turtle and tortoise are sometimes used interchangeably, and turtle is the more general term. The word tortoise is sometimes used to distinguish a turtle as being a terrestrial (mostly land-dwelling) one, as opposed to an aquatic turtle (one that spends most of its time in water).However, this doesn’t mean that a turtle is necessarily aquatic simply because it’s called a turtle. For example, the box turtle is primarily terrestrial (it can also be called the box tortoise).Turtles and tortoises are both reptiles that belong to the order Testudines. Whether something is called a turtle or a tortoise often depends on its habitat and physical features.Some aquatic turtles, like snapping turtles, have webbed feet, while others, like sea turtles, have flippers. In contrast, turtles that are called tortoises typically have stubby, round feet, and their shells are often more domed.Here are a few quick questions to help you determine whether it’s more appropriate to call something a turtle or a tortoise.Q: Does it spend a lot of time in the water and have webbed feet or flippers?A: It’s probably called a turtle.Q: Does it live mostly on land and have a domed shell and round feet?A: There’s a good chance it’s called a tortoise, but this isn’t always the case.Q: Is it a teenaged, mutant ninja?A: It’s a turtle.Still stumped? Ask a herpetologist.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between turtles and tortoises.