hawksbill turtle

[ hawks-bil ]

noun

1. a sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, the shell of which is the source of tortoise shell: an endangered species.

hawksbill turtle

/ ˈhɔːksˌbɪl /

noun

1. a small tropical turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, with a hooked beaklike mouth: a source of tortoiseshell: family Chelonidae Also calledhawkbilltortoiseshell turtle

Word History and Origins

Origin of hawksbill turtle¹

First recorded in 1650–60; hawk ¹ + 's ¹ + bill ²

Example Sentences

It had taken me three days of snorkeling, but I finally hit the jackpot — an endangered hawksbill turtle, serenely munching tropical sea grass in the shallows of Francis Bay.

From Washington Post

They had picked up a good many curiosities, including one of the largest and finest hawksbill-turtle shells I had ever beheld.

From Project Gutenberg

A singular mode of taking the hawksbill turtle is followed by the natives here.

From Project Gutenberg

Our fishing party have taken in their seine to-day, two flying-fish of the gurnet species, and a hawksbill turtle.

From Project Gutenberg

It might be a lace handkerchief, a pink Paumotan pearl, or a comb of hawksbill turtle.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hawksbill Turtle is distinguished by the hawk-like appearance of its head.

From Project Gutenberg