turtle
1any 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).
to catch turtles, especially as a business.
Idioms about turtle
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.
Origin of turtle
1Other words from turtle
- turtler, noun
Words Nearby turtle
Other definitions for turtle (2 of 2)
a turtledove.
Origin of turtle
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use turtle in a sentence
Based on the genetic analyses, the researchers confirmed that the tuatara is more closely related to snakes and lizards than to crocodilians, birds or turtles.
How tuatara live so long and can withstand cool weather | Jake Buehler | August 5, 2020 | Science NewsThe reptiles have long been of scientific interest because of their unclear evolutionary relationship with other reptiles, as they share traits with lizards and turtles as well as birds.
How tuatara live so long and can withstand cool weather | Jake Buehler | August 5, 2020 | Science NewsThe earliest dinosaur eggs were more like leathery turtle eggs than hard bird’s eggs.
Early dinosaurs may have laid soft-shelled eggs | Jack J. Lee | August 3, 2020 | Science News For StudentsExplore coral reef restoration, shipwrecks, sea turtles and more.
These ecosystems are wildly diverse — home to everything from crabs to sea turtles.
This Israel-Hamas war feels different, neither turtle nor scorpion even pretending anymore about seeking peace.
Is It Just Me or Is the World Exploding? So Why Isn’t Obama Doing More? | Michael Tomasky | July 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA non-Sioux nation in the state, turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, also said no.
The Native Americans Who Voted for ‘The Fighting Sioux’ | Evan Weiner | June 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe commercial then shifts to a split screen of a cartoon turtle and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Tea Party Candidate In Texas Makes Viral "Turtle Soup" Campaign Ad | Ben Jacobs | February 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the meantime, Stovall has learned some political lessons in light of his turtle soup success.
Tea Party Candidate In Texas Makes Viral "Turtle Soup" Campaign Ad | Ben Jacobs | February 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe was filming other television spots in January and his campaign manager and the producer wanted to do the turtle soup spot.
Tea Party Candidate In Texas Makes Viral "Turtle Soup" Campaign Ad | Ben Jacobs | February 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo these we gave boiled rice, and with it turtle and manatee boiled.
She careened so badly that the girls shrieked and Malcolm himself thought she would turn turtle.
The Red Year | Louis TracyFor our use, besides bread-fruit and fish, there was a turtle weighing perhaps more than twenty pounds.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida PfeifferI shall give 'em real turtle from Birch's, and as for fizz, they shall swim in it if they like.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3) | Charles James WillsThomas Simpson, companion of Mr. Dean in the discovery of the north-west passage, died by his own hand at turtle river, aged 32.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for turtle (1 of 2)
/ (ˈtɜːtəl) /
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: Related 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
(intr) to catch or hunt turtles
Origin of turtle
1Derived forms of turtle
- turtler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for turtle (2 of 2)
/ (ˈtɜːtəl) /
an archaic name for turtledove
Origin of turtle
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
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