chelonian

[ ki-loh-nee-uhn ]

/ kɪˈloʊ ni ən /

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Definition of chelonian

adjective

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

noun

a turtle, tortoise, or terrapin.

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Compare testudinate.

Origin of chelonian

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

Words nearby chelonian

chellup, Chełmno, Chelmsford, cheloid, chelone, chelonian, chelp, Chelsea, Chelsea bun, Chelsea tractor, Cheltenham

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use chelonian in a sentence

Say saw one on a chelonian, and others on tritons and frogs.
Animal Parasites and Messmates|P. J. Van Beneden
Also the upper half of the immovable case in which the body of a Chelonian is protected.
The Ancient Life History of the Earth|Henry Alleyne Nicholson
The eighth group is assigned by President Hitchcock to the Chelonian or turtle tribe.
Remarks on some fossil impressions in the sandstone rocks of Connecticut River|John Collins Warren
The Scotch footsteps are situated in the old red sandstone, and are those of a Chelonian.
Remarks on some fossil impressions in the sandstone rocks of Connecticut River|John Collins Warren

The Chelonian tracks are two in number: the longest measures four feet ten inches; the shorter, two feet nine inches.
Remarks on some fossil impressions in the sandstone rocks of Connecticut River|John Collins Warren

British Dictionary definitions for chelonian

chelonian

/ (kɪˈləʊnɪən) /

noun

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

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

Word Origin for chelonian

C19: from New Latin Chelōnia, from Greek khelōnē tortoise

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for chelonian

chelonian

[ kĭ-lō′nē-ən ]

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.

chelonian

Definition of chelonian

Origin of chelonian

Words nearby chelonian

Words related to chelonian

How to use chelonian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for chelonian

Word Origin for chelonian

Scientific definitions for chelonian