turtleback

[ tur-tl-bak ]

noun

1. Archaeology. tortoise-core.
2. Furniture. an oval or elliptical boss.

turtleback

/ ˈtɜːtəlˌbæk /

noun

1. an arched projection over the upper deck of a ship at the bow and sometimes at the stern for protection in heavy seas
2. now obsolete in archaeological usage a crude convex stone axe

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtleback¹

First recorded in 1880–85; turtle ¹ + back ¹

Example Sentences

The chief and his crew had just reached the deck when the black shining turtleback of the submarine broke water.

From Project Gutenberg

Because of its shape, Singer company brochures of the 1920s referred to it as the Turtleback Machine.

From Project Gutenberg