terrapin

[ ter-uh-pin ]
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noun
  1. any of several edible North American turtles of the family Emydidae, inhabiting fresh or brackish waters, especially the diamondback terrapin: some are threatened or endangered.

  2. any of various similar turtles.

Origin of terrapin

1
1605–15; earlier torope (<Virginia Algonquian <Eastern Algonquian *to·rəpe·w variety of turtle >Munsee Delaware tó·lpe·w) + -in, of uncertain origin

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British Dictionary definitions for terrapin

terrapin

/ (ˈtɛrəpɪn) /


noun
  1. any of various web-footed chelonian reptiles that live on land and in fresh water and feed on small aquatic animals: family Emydidae: Also called: water tortoise

Origin of terrapin

1
C17: of Algonquian origin; compare Delaware torope turtle

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