testudinate

[ te-stood-n-it, -eyt, -styood- ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the reptilian order Testudines, comprising turtles, tortoises, and terrapins:

   Of all the testudinate species that were once abundant here, the snapping turtle is the only one that has not disappeared or become endangered.

2. similar to, resembling, or representing turtles, tortoises, or terrapins:

   We refer to this pattern as “testudinate” because the figures within alternate stripes are clearly turtlelike.

3. Architecture. formed like the carapace of a tortoise; arched; vaulted:

   Her testudinate doorways and ceilings have the feel of something from antiquity, but they integrate well with her otherwise modern designs.

noun

1. a turtle, tortoise, or terrapin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of testudinate¹

First recorded in 1720–30; from Latin testūdinātus “arched, vaulted”; testudo, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The testudinate is employed where the span is not great, and where large rooms are provided in upper stories.

From Project Gutenberg