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

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

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

From The Turtles of Tasman by London, Jack