definitions
  • synonyms

turtle

1
[ tur-tl ]
/ ˈtɜr tl /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR turtle ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural tur·tles, (especially collectively) tur·tle.

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).

verb (used without object), tur·tled, tur·tling.

to catch turtles, especially as a business.

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RELATED WORDS

tortoise, slowpoke, chelonian, snapper, terrapin, cooter, leatherback, loggerhead, testudinal

Nearby words

turret lathe, turreted, turrical, turriculate, tursha, turtle, turtleback, turtledove, turtlehead, turtleneck, turtlet

Idioms

    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.

Origin of turtle

1
1625–35; alteration (influenced by turtle2) of French tortue < Medieval Latin tortūca tortoise
Related formstur·tler, noun

Definition for turtle (2 of 2)

turtle

2
[ tur-tl ]
/ ˈtɜr tl /

noun Archaic.

a turtledove.

Origin of turtle

2
before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin turtur (imitative)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for turtle

British Dictionary definitions for turtle (1 of 2)

turtle

1
/ (ˈtɜːtəl) /

noun

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

verb

(intr) to catch or hunt turtles
Derived Formsturtler, noun

Word Origin for turtle

C17: from French tortue tortoise (influenced by turtle ²)

British Dictionary definitions for turtle (2 of 2)

turtle

2
/ (ˈtɜːtəl) /

noun

an archaic name for turtledove

Word Origin for turtle

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with turtle

turtle

see turn turtle.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.