Dictionary

chicken turtle en · NOUN

Etymology

After the chicken-like flavor of its meat.

Meanings

1. An uncommon freshwater turtle, of species Deirochelys reticularia, found in the southeast of the United States, similar in appearance to the eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta), but with an unusually long, striped neck, a yellow stripe on each of its legs and a net-like pattern on its carapace.
   • ‘I've a chicken-turtle, which promises well—the first I've received this season, from what I call my West-Indian farm […].’ 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 81:

Forms

Deriveds

western chicken turtle · Florida chicken turtle · eastern chicken turtle