hawksbill turtle

[ hawks-bil ]

/ ˈhɔksˌbɪl /

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noun

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

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Also called hawksbill, hawkbill, tortoiseshell turtle.

Origin of hawksbill turtle

First recorded in 1650–60; hawk¹ + 's¹ + bill²

Words nearby hawksbill turtle

hawknose, hawk owl, Hawks, hawks and doves, hawk's beard, hawksbill turtle, hawk's-eye, hawkshaw, Hawksmoor, hawkweed, Hawkyns

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hawksbill turtle in a sentence

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.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, returning to a changed but resilient St. John|Bob Drogin|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
They had picked up a good many curiosities, including one of the largest and finest hawksbill-turtle shells I had ever beheld.
The Last Voyage|Lady (Annie Allnutt) Brassey
A singular mode of taking the hawksbill turtle is followed by the natives here.
The Overland Expedition of The Messrs. Jardine|Frank Jardine and Alexander Jardine
Our fishing party have taken in their seine to-day, two flying-fish of the gurnet species, and a hawksbill turtle.
A Voyage Round the World, Vol. I|James Holman

It might be a lace handkerchief, a pink Paumotan pearl, or a comb of hawksbill turtle.
The Turtles of Tasman|Jack London
The Hawksbill Turtle is distinguished by the hawk-like appearance of its head.
Pathfinder|Alan Douglas

British Dictionary definitions for hawksbill turtle

hawksbill turtle

hawksbill

/ (ˈhɔːksˌbɪl) /

noun

a small tropical turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, with a hooked beaklike mouth: a source of tortoiseshell: family ChelonidaeAlso called: hawkbill, tortoiseshell turtle

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