turtle

¹

[tur-tl]

noun

plural

turtles ,

plural

turtle .

1. any reptile of the order Testudines, comprising aquatic and terrestrial species having the trunk enclosed in a shell consisting of a dorsal carapace and a ventral plastron.

2. (not used technically) an aquatic turtle as distinguished from a terrestrial one.

verb (used without object)

turtled, turtling 

1. to catch turtles, especially as a business.

turtle

²

[tur-tl]

noun

Archaic.

1. a turtledove.

turtle

¹

/ ˈtɜːtəl /

noun

1. any of various aquatic chelonian reptiles, esp those of the marine family Chelonidae , having a flattened shell enclosing the body and flipper-like limbs adapted for swimming

2. any of the chelonian reptiles, including the tortoises and terrapins

3. nautical a zip bag made as part of a spinnaker for holding the sail so that it can be set rapidly

4. to capsize

verb

1. (intr) to catch or hunt turtles

turtle

²

/ ˈtɜːtəl /

noun

1. an archaic name for turtledove

Other Word Forms

• turtler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtle¹

1625–35; alteration (influenced by turtle ² ) of French tortue < Medieval Latin tortūca tortoise

Origin of turtle²

before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin turtur (imitative)

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtle¹

C17: from French tortue _tortoise (influenced by _turtle ²)

Origin of turtle²

Old English turtla , from Latin turtur , of imitative origin; related to German Turteltaube

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. turn turtle,

   1. Nautical. to capsize or turn over completely in foundering.

   2. to overturn; upset.

      Several of the cars turned turtle in the course of the race.

see turn turtle.

Example Sentences

They have also been vocal in protecting vulnerable sea turtle species in Mexico and prominently feature sea turtle motifs in their concert set designs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Since the start of the millennium, Wales has already witnessed the loss of 11 species, with the European turtle dove and belted beauty moth becoming geographically extinct.

Read more on BBC

Every year, sea turtles emerge from nests on Florida's beaches and begin the difficult crawl from the sand to the sea -- a journey that plays a major role in whether they survive.

Read more on Science Daily

Loggerhead turtles are equipped with two different abilities for sensing the Earth's magnetic field, yet scientists had not determined which one they rely on to interpret the magnetic map they inherit at birth.

Read more on Science Daily

The novel centers on an Ahab-like ship captain who leads a crew of Caribbean turtle fishermen on a tragic voyage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• tortoise 

When To Use

What’s the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?

The words turtle and tortoise are sometimes used interchangeably, and turtle is the more general term. The word tortoise is sometimes used to distinguish a turtle as being a terrestrial (mostly land-dwelling) one, as opposed to an aquatic turtle (one that spends most of its time in water).However, this doesn’t mean that a turtle is necessarily aquatic simply because it’s called a turtle. For example, the box turtle is primarily terrestrial (it can also be called the box tortoise).Turtles and tortoises are both reptiles that belong to the order Testudines. Whether something is called a turtle or a tortoise often depends on its habitat and physical features.Some aquatic turtles, like snapping turtles, have webbed feet, while others, like sea turtles, have flippers. In contrast, turtles that are called tortoises typically have stubby, round feet, and their shells are often more domed.Here are a few quick questions to help you determine whether it’s more appropriate to call something a turtle or a tortoise.Q: Does it spend a lot of time in the water and have webbed feet or flippers?A: It’s probably called a turtle.Q: Does it live mostly on land and have a domed shell and round feet?A: There’s a good chance it’s called a tortoise, but this isn’t always the case.Q: Is it a teenaged, mutant ninja?A: It’s a turtle.Still stumped? Ask a herpetologist.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between turtles and tortoises.