turtle1
[tur-tl]
- 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.
- (not used technically) an aquatic turtle as distinguished from a terrestrial one.Compare tortoise(def 1).
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- to catch turtles, especially as a business.
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- turn turtle,
- Nautical.to capsize or turn over completely in foundering.
- to overturn; upset: Several of the cars turned turtle in the course of the race.
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Origin of turtle1
turtle2
[tur-tl]
- a turtledove.
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Origin of turtle2
before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin turtur (imitative)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for turtle
Contemporary Examples
A non-Sioux nation in the state, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, also said no.
In the meantime, Stovall has learned some political lessons in light of his turtle soup success.
He was filming other television spots in January and his campaign manager and the producer wanted to do the turtle soup spot.
So Rice decamped to Turtle Bay, where she bided her time until Jones retired at the NSC.
David McGuire tests Pacific seafood for mercury with GotMercury.org, a part of the Turtle Bay Restoration Network.
Historical Examples
Such, Delawares, is the belief of the children of the Turtle.
The Last of the MohicansJames Fenimore Cooper
He gave them a turtle and said: “Put it in the water-barrel in the yard.”
The Chinese Fairy BookVarious
He is a gopher, and different from the common kind of turtle.
Is there any reader of Young People who can tell me how to tame a turtle?
A turtle may bury its eggs in a sand bank and abandon them to their fate.
The Meaning of EvolutionSamuel Christian Schmucker
turtle1
- 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 swimmingRelated adjectives: chelonian, testudinal
- US and Canadian any of the chelonian reptiles, including the tortoises and terrapins
- nautical a zip bag made as part of a spinnaker for holding the sail so that it can be set rapidly
- turn turtle to capsize
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- (intr) to catch or hunt turtles
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Word Origin
C17: from French tortue tortoise (influenced by turtle ²)
turtle2
- an archaic name for turtledove
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Word Origin
Old English turtla, from Latin turtur, of imitative origin; related to German Turteltaube
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for turtle
n.1
reptile, c.1600, "marine tortoise," from French tortue "turtle, tortoise," of unknown origin. The English word is perhaps a sailors' mauling of the French one, influenced by the similar sounding turtle (n.2). Later extended to land tortoises; sea-turtle is attested from 1610s. Turtleneck "close-fitting collar" is recorded from 1895.
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n.2
"turtledove," Old English turtle, dissimilation of Latin turtur "turtledove," a reduplicated form imitative of the bird's call. Graceful, harmonious and affectionate to its mate, hence a term of endearment in Middle English. Turtledove is attested from c.1300.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with turtle
turtle
see turn turtle.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.