hawksbill turtle

American  

[hawks-bil] / ˈhɔksˌbɪl /

noun

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

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hawksbill turtle British  

/ ˈhɔːksˌbɪl /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of hawksbill turtle

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hawksbill turtle

Third place went to Matty Smith for an image of a hawksbill turtle hatchling, heading out to sea for the first time.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2021

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 ● Jun. 24, 2021

Species such as the hawksbill turtle are dependant on coral reefs which are bleaching and dying with climate change.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 19, 2017

No, it was a hawksbill turtle, which seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see it, though not as delighted.

From New York Times ● Nov. 6, 2014

The tortoise-shell of commerce is obtained from the shell of the hawksbill turtle, the plates of which, being very thin, are heated and welded together until of the required thickness.

From The Log of the Sun A Chronicle of Nature's Year by Beebe, William