Skip to content
ontologydriven
Sign out

Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

turtle en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • tûrʹtəl (General-American)
  • /ˈtɜːtl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈtɝtl̩/ (General-American)
  • (US) audio
  • [ˈtʰɝɾɫ̩] (General-American)

Etymology

Modification of Middle English tortou, tortu, from Old French tortüe (under the influence of Middle English turtel, turtur (“turtledove”), see Etymology 2 below), from Old Occitan tortuga (compare Spanish tortuga), the same source of tortoise (see there for more). Displaced native Old English byrdling (See birdling).

Meanings

  1. (Canada, US) Any land, aquatic, or semi-aquatic reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.
    • A unique anti-aphrodisiac was the heart of a turtle carried in a wolf's skin. It prevented a person from ever being tempted amorously. 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 238:
  2. (Australia, Canada, UK, US, specifically) Any land, aquatic, or semi-aquatic reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise. ▸ A marine reptile of that order.
  3. Senses resembling a turtle in protection
  4. (historical) Senses resembling a turtle in protection ▸ An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.
  5. Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program.
  6. Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.
    • Depending on which version of Logo you have, the turtle may look like an actual animal with a head and four legs or — as in Berkeley Logo — it may be represented as a triangle. 1997, Brian Harvey, Computer Science Logo Style: Symbolic computing:
  7. Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer's weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular "walk".
  8. Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ A position reminiscent of a turtle.
    • A front somersault as executed in the water is basically the same type of movement as that executed in tumbling activities. A front somersault can be executed with the body in a tuck (turtle position) or pike (knees straight, body bent at hips so feet are near head) position, in shallow or deep water, from a back or prone float position. 1957, Doris Layson Bullock, “Skills in the Water”, in Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, volume 28, page 28:
    • At home the child can have a simple horizontal bar on which he may swing by his hands. He may also use dumb-bells and clubs. A very valuable position is what may be called the "turtle position." The patient lies prone upon the face, with the arms extended, and with the head carried upward and backward as far as possible. This exercises strongly the muscles of the upper part of the spine 1893, De Forrest Willard, M.D., “Lateral Curvature”, in The American Lancet, volume 17, page 210:
  9. Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ A position reminiscent of a turtle. ▸ A position in which a person drops down all fours, limbs and chin tucked in, to protect their core.
  10. Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ A low stand for a lamp, etc.
    • Alan Bermingham, Location Lighting for Television Using an appropriate turtle allows the full range of pan and tilt adjustments on the luminaire and avoids possible heat damage to floor coverings.
  11. (qualifier:genericized trademark) Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ A candy with pecans, caramel, and chocolate, often shaped like a turtle.
  12. (historical) Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement ▸ The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.
  13. Senses resembling a turtle in slowness
  14. Senses resembling a turtle in slowness ▸ A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
tortle alternative, obsolete lexicographic
turtles Number=Plur lexicographic

Coordinates

rabbit

Deriveds

turtle hull (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-corral (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · pitted-shelled turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · snake-necked turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · sea-turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlehead (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · side-necked turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Alabama red-bellied turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · red-eared turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-egging (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-crawl (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · African softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle ant (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-stone (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Australian short-necked turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · hawk-billed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · marine turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlebloom (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · leathery turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · roofed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-twine (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle excluder device (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · false map turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · mock turtle soup (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · twist-necked turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Alamos mud turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle soup (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle leech (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · have a turtle's head (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Chinese three-banded box turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle curb (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlelike (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · sea turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · chicken-turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Shanghai softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle trading (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · mud turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · hawksbill sea turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-kraal (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-dove (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle peg (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · speckled softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtledom (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · plateless turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Alabama turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · snake-eating turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · black turtle bean (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · tortoise-shell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · land turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Blanding's turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleback (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · snapping turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Fitzroy River turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · African forest turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · spiny turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · big-headed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · diamond-backed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Turtle Island (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · musk turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · matamata turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · pancake turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle dove (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · flatback turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle bean (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Plymouth redbelly turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Arakan forest turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Florida redbelly turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-head (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · arrau turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · trunk turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · black marsh turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-net (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle grass (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · silver stater with a turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleneck (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · fertile as a turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-footed (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · western swamp turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · awkward turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · eastern long-neck turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleweed (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-press (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · wood turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · trunk-turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · soft-shelled turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Yangtze giant softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · dragon turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Turtle River (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · American Turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Kemp's ridley sea turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleshell (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtly (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · toad-headed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle up (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleless (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · loggerhead turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · bog turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-back (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · common snakeneck turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-crab (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-grass (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · map turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · greaved turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · nonturtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Mary River turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleburger (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · leatherback turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · hawksbill turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · hawk's-bill turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · horned turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · American turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · chicken turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · green turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · mock turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle crab (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Turtle Bay (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · gopher turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · soft-shell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · pig-nosed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle socks (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlesque (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · logger-headed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · river turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · pond turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · spotted turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle neck (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · water turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turn the turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Fly River turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Madagascan big-headed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Alabama map turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle trade (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle ship (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · leather turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · lute turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Chinese three-striped box turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · olive ridley turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Austro-American sideneck turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · golden coin turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · mata mata turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · African sideneck turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · ridley turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Muhlenberg's turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · leather-turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · New Guinea snakeneck turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · cooter turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Nile softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · pignose turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · marsh turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Greenland turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Australasian pig-nose turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · box-turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtles all the way down (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · snapping-turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-peg (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle suit (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · alligator-turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle cowrie (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · black-breasted leaf turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · red-bellied turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle vine (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle frog (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle graphics (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · leaf turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlette (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · African helmeted turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · flat-headed turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle frolic (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · lyre turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Swinhoe's softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · painted turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Red River giant softshell turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle cowry (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-neck (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle barnacle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-insect (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Turtlemania (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · alligator turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · box turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtling (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle crawl (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle down (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlet (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-deck (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-shell (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · Chinese pond turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle stone (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle racing (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turn turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtler (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · pig-nose turtle (terms derived from turtle in the above senses)

Hypernyms

Chelonia · vertebrate · animal · reptile · reptile

Hyponyms

snapper · matamata · jabuti · morrocoy · sea turtle · caret

Relateds

:Category:Reptiles · reptilelike

Synonyms

chelonian · sea turtle · shield-toad · tortoise · testudo · testudine · terrapin · shellpad · shellpad · shield-toad · chelid · birdling · turpin · birdling · shellpad · shield-toad · birdling

Translations (320)

fa-ira کَشَف (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cr ᒥᐢᑭᓈᕁ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · an tartuga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gd sligeanach (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kn ಆವೆ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ja(land or marine reptile with a shell) · khb ᦎᧁᧈ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ms akah (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tt ташбака (sea turtle) · my လိပ် (land or marine reptile with a shell) · os уӕртджын хӕфс (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mnc ᡝᡳᡥᡠᠮᡝ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · hi कछुआ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · oc tartuga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fr tortue de mer (sea turtle) · ium doc (land or marine reptile with a shell) · krl suojusšlöpöi (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lkt khéya (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lv bruņurupucis (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sv sköldpadda (land or marine reptile with a shell) · km អណ្ដើក (land or marine reptile with a shell) · so qoolley (land or marine reptile with a shell) · vi rùa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gl tartaruga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · wao míče (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fi kilpikonnamuodostelma (Roman attack method) · syc ܪܩܐ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · unm tahkox (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cdo 烏龜 /乌龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bg костену́рка (land or marine reptile with a shell) · da skildpadde (land or marine reptile with a shell) · zza kesa (diq) (land or marine reptile with a shell) · vo melatortug (sea turtle) · uk черепа́ха (land or marine reptile with a shell) · abe tolba (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lb Deckelsmouk (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ps کيشپ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tg сангпушт (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gld аян (land or marine reptile with a shell) · akk 𒁄𒄀 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fi merikilpikonna (sea turtle) · pap turtuga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ht tòti (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tl pawikan (sea turtle) · pt tartaruga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tg боха (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tft ori (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ar غَيْلَم (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nv chʼééh digháhii (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ms tuntung (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ba гөбөргәйел (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fr tortue (Roman attack method) · syc ܣܠܘܦܝܬܐ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mt fekruna (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fro wecle (land or marine reptile with a shell) · dng бе (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ka კუ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mk же́лка (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bg же́лва (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bn কাছিম (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nb havskilpadde (sea turtle) · grc χελώνη (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fa-ira سَنْگپُشْت (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fj vonu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fi piirustusrobotti (computing: type of robot) · alt таш-бака (land or marine reptile with a shell) · xsv zelvīs (land or marine reptile with a shell) · rap honu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gil tabwakea (land or marine reptile with a shell) · izh cerepaha (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cho luksi (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gul cootuh (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tt ташбака (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tr kaplumbağa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · io tortugo (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ru черепа́ха (Roman attack method) · kla ngak (land or marine reptile with a shell) · yi שילדקרעט (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bn কাটুয়া (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ang byrdling (land or marine reptile with a shell) · eo testudo (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ko 거북 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ba ташбаҡа (land or marine reptile with a shell) · es tortuga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tl pagong (land or marine reptile with a shell) · srn sekrepatu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · th เต่า (land or marine reptile with a shell) · hy կրիա (land or marine reptile with a shell) · wuu 烏龜 /乌龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mfe torti (land or marine reptile with a shell) · txb kaccāp (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sa कच्छप (land or marine reptile with a shell) · afb حمسة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · rif išfar (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ky ташбака (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ce уьнтӏепхьид (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nan-hbl 烏龜 /乌龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · clt mingcakuvnung (land or marine reptile with a shell) · rkt পানীমাছ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mn яст мэлхий (land or marine reptile with a shell) · eu dortoka (land or marine reptile with a shell) · jv bulus (land or marine reptile with a shell) · el χελώνα (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pt tartaruga (sea turtle) · akk 𒃻𒅮𒈾 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · rup broascã tsãstoasã (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nys yarkan (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ko 바다거북 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ks کرٕٛم (sea turtle) · ab акәуа (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sq breshkë (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sne ponyu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · br baot (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bcl baho (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ru желвь (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pdt Schiltkjrät (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bci abu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cmn 鱉 /鳖 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pqm cihkonaqc (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kn ಆಮೆ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ts gamba (land or marine reptile with a shell) · is skjaldbaka (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lt vėžlys (land or marine reptile with a shell) · niv ая (land or marine reptile with a shell) · dsb žołw (land or marine reptile with a shell) · hu teknős (land or marine reptile with a shell) · syl ꠇꠣꠐ꠆ꠐꠥꠀ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gd crùban-coille (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ga turtar mara (sea turtle) · mk же́лка (Roman attack method) · mk мо́рска же́лка (sea turtle) · lua nkuvu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · duu chvkop (land or marine reptile with a shell) · hop yöngösona (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ur کَچُھوا (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nb skilpadde (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cu желꙑ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gl sapoconcho (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pl żółw (computing: type of robot) · fi kilpikonna (sea turtle) · ajp كركعة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gv turtyl (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bla spopii (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cro basáxa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · za duzgvi (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cmn 龜 /龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · chy ma'ëno (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nv tsisteeł (land or marine reptile with a shell) · eo kelonio (land or marine reptile with a shell) · az tısbağa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lo ເຕົ່າ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ceb bao (land or marine reptile with a shell) · se galbarihcci (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cop ⲕⲁⲑⲓⲣⲟⲥ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · af skilpad (land or marine reptile with a shell) · jje 거북 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mi honu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · yue 烏龜 /乌龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cmn 王八 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ota كشف (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ru черепа́ха (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tew oekuu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sv havssköldpadda (sea turtle) · cy crwban (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ga turtar (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bdr akah (land or marine reptile with a shell) · so qubo (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mam petz (land or marine reptile with a shell) · it tartaruga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · yag uštakáluš (land or marine reptile with a shell) · el νεροχελώνα (sea turtle) · acw سلحفة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sh ко̀рњача (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ja カメ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · crl ᑖᐦᑖᐤ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ro broască țestoasă (land or marine reptile with a shell) · de Schildkröte (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ajp سلحفة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mkz fenu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · yi טשערעפּאַכע (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kqr borungai (land or marine reptile with a shell) · xda kutumung (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kk тасбақа (land or marine reptile with a shell) · si කැස්බෑවා (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sk korytnačka (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kmr kûsî (land or marine reptile with a shell) · myv бака (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mr कासव (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pag pawikan (sea turtle) · ltg brūnisrupucs (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ru морска́я черепа́ха (sea turtle) · ceb pawikan (sea turtle) · apc زِلْحفِة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ii ꀌꀠꎭꉻ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fo skjaldbøka (land or marine reptile with a shell) · uz toshbaqa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ary سلحفة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · gv shligganagh marrey (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fi kilpikonna (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cdo 龜 /龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nb havskjelpadde (sea turtle) · ajp سلحفة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tr tosbağa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · et kilpkonn (land or marine reptile with a shell) · om qocaa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mba bao-o (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ca tortuga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ajp سلحفاة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nn skjelpadde (land or marine reptile with a shell) · chc káia (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ccc majpolo (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ln nkóbá (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fi kursori (computing: drawing cursor) · pt tartaruga marinha (sea turtle) · fa-ira لاکپُشْت (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lmw meléeja (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ast tortuga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cy crwban y môr (sea turtle) · yo ìjàpá (land or marine reptile with a shell) · wo mbonnat mi (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kmr kîso (land or marine reptile with a shell) · te తాబేలు (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ja 海亀 (sea turtle) · crh qapulbaqa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · dng бегэ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ary فكرون (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ms penyu (sea turtle) · sw kobe class I/IX (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ota قاپلومبغه (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ug تاشپاقا (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kw morgroban (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fr tortue (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mic migjigj (land or marine reptile with a shell) · dta xabil (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nl schildpad (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pl żółw wodny (sea turtle) · ta ஆமை (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pqm mikcikc (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bdr penu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bg морска костенурка (sea turtle) · za gvi (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tk pyşbaga (land or marine reptile with a shell) · yua aak (land or marine reptile with a shell) · dak keya (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ota كشف (sea turtle) · la testūdō (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ms labi-labi (land or marine reptile with a shell) · dsb nopawa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cs želva (land or marine reptile with a shell) · msk bao (land or marine reptile with a shell) · es quelonio (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tg локпушт (land or marine reptile with a shell) · arz سلحفة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ilo pawikan (sea turtle) · br baot vor (sea turtle) · svs vognu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · uz musicha (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tyv языты-мелегей (land or marine reptile with a shell) · aaq dolba (land or marine reptile with a shell) · xda kutumung (sea turtle) · tyv мелегей (land or marine reptile with a shell) · rsk коритнявка (land or marine reptile with a shell) · grc χέλυς (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ps شمشتى (land or marine reptile with a shell) · haw honu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pam pau (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lu nkuvu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tn khudu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pam pawu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · unm tulpe (land or marine reptile with a shell) · orv желꙑ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · he צָב (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nb skilpadde (sea turtle) · fy skyldpod (land or marine reptile with a shell) · lb Schildkröt (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mrw bao'o (land or marine reptile with a shell) · fa-ira باخِه (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pl żółw (computing: drawing cursor) · sw kasa (sea turtle) · qua kke (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cmn 烏龜 /乌龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · shn တဝ်ႇ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ka ზღვის კუ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · pi kacchapa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kw kronek ervys mor (land or marine reptile with a shell) · yue 龜 /龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · eo martestudo (sea turtle) · kmr req (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nb skjelpadde (sea turtle) · ms penyu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · crs torti (land or marine reptile with a shell) · avd لوکپشت (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nah ayotl (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bn কাটুয়া (sea turtle) · pl żółw (land or marine reptile with a shell) · be чарапа́ха (land or marine reptile with a shell) · kl saaniluk (land or marine reptile with a shell) · nv táłtłʼááh chʼééh digháhii (sea turtle) · nan-hbl 龜 /龟 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ru черепа́ха (sea turtle) · ar سُلَحْفَاة (land or marine reptile with a shell) · av щурункъверкъ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sl želva (land or marine reptile with a shell) · rif tišfart (land or marine reptile with a shell) · cy môr-grwban (sea turtle) · id penyu (land or marine reptile with a shell) · ryu(land or marine reptile with a shell) · qu charapa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · tay ksipa (land or marine reptile with a shell) · arz ترسة (sea turtle) · hu teknősbéka (land or marine reptile with a shell) · vo tortug (land or marine reptile with a shell) · aho 𑜄𑜧 (land or marine reptile with a shell) · sh kòrnjača (land or marine reptile with a shell) · bo རུས་སྦལ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · as কাছ (land or marine reptile with a shell) · aeb فكرون (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mww vaub kib (land or marine reptile with a shell) · mel panyok (land or marine reptile with a shell) · it testuggine (land or marine reptile with a shell)

turtle en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

  • tûrʹtəl (General-American)
  • /ˈtɜːtl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈtɝtl̩/ (General-American)
  • (US) audio
  • [ˈtʰɝɾɫ̩] (General-American)

Etymology

Modification of Middle English tortou, tortu, from Old French tortüe (under the influence of Middle English turtel, turtur (“turtledove”), see Etymology 2 below), from Old Occitan tortuga (compare Spanish tortuga), the same source of tortoise (see there for more). Displaced native Old English byrdling (See birdling).

Meanings

  1. (intransitive) To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.
    • Were speeding when car turtled […] Auto crashed into curb and turtled. 1919, Iowa Highway Commission, Service Bulletin, Issues 15-32, page 48
  2. (intransitive) To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. ▸ To turn and swim upside down.
    • I turtled my board beneath it, flipped upright, and started paddling again. 2009, Amy Waeschle, Chasing Waves: A Surfer's Tale of Obsessive Wandering, page 149:
  3. (intransitive, of a ship) To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. ▸ To capsize, turning fully over.
  4. (intransitive) To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. ▸ To fall with one arm behind a rope, forcing the climber to dangle on their back, leaving them helpless.
  5. (intransitive) To move along slowly.
    • We turtled along in Manitoba, back into the heart of the prairies. 2012, Sophie B. Watson, Cadillac Couches, page 193:
  6. (intransitive) To hunt turtles, especially in the water.
    • Of these, 80 turtled (65%), 26 hunted and turtled (20%), and 18 hunted (15%). 1973, Bernard Nietschmann, Between Land and Water: The Subsistence Ecology of the Miskito Indians, page 153:
  7. (intransitive, qualifier:board games) To build up a large defense force and strike only occasionally, rather than going for an offensive strategy.
  8. (abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, euphemistic, idiomatic, intransitive, slang) Ellipsis of turtle head (“to struggle to hold back an imminent bowel movement”).

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
turtles Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
turtled Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
turtled Tense=Past lexicographic
turtling Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
tortle alternative, obsolete lexicographic

Relateds

terrapin · hatchling · tortoise · chelonian

Synonyms

crown · prairie dog · grow a tail · turn turtle

Translations (12)

fi metsästää kilpikonnia (hunt turtles) · fi kääntää ympäri (turn and swim upside down) · fr se renverser (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · it ribaltare (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · es volcar (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · bg преобръщам се (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · fr capoter (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · fr chasser (hunt turtles) · fr faire un tonneau (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · fi kääntyä ympäri (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · es dar una vuelta de campana (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down) · gl envorcar (flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down)

turtle en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

  • tûrʹtəl (General-American)
  • /ˈtɜːtl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈtɝtl̩/ (General-American)
  • (US) audio
  • [ˈtʰɝɾɫ̩] (General-American)

Etymology

From Middle English turtle, tortle, turtel, turtul, from Old English turtle, turtla (“turtledove”), ultimately from Latin turtur (“turtledove”), of imitative origin.

Meanings

  1. (archaic, intransitive) A turtle dove.
    • As the turtle, every day has been a black day with her since her husband died, and what should we unruly members make here? 1613, John Marston, William Barksted, The Insatiate Countess, I.1:
    • The same he tooke, and with a riband new, / In which his Ladies colours were, did bind / About the turtles neck […]. 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
turtles Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

turtlish (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlize (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-bird (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle dove (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleise (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtlise (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleize (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtledove (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtle-dove (terms derived from turtle in the above senses) · turtleish (terms derived from turtle in the above senses)

Hypernyms

Chelonia · vertebrate · animal

Hyponyms

snapper · matamata · jabuti · morrocoy · sea turtle · caret

Relateds

:Category:Reptiles · reptilelike

Synonyms

chelonian · tortoise · testudine · terrapin · shellpad · chelid · turpin · shield-toad · birdling

turtle en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

  • tûrʹtəl (General-American)
  • /ˈtɜːtl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˈtɝtl̩/ (General-American)
  • (US) audio
  • [ˈtʰɝɾɫ̩] (General-American)

Etymology

Ellipsis of turtle-neck

Meanings

  1. (intransitive) A turtle-neck garment.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
turtles Number=Plur lexicographic

Hypernyms

Chelonia · vertebrate · animal

Hyponyms

snapper · matamata · jabuti · morrocoy · sea turtle · caret

Relateds

:Category:Reptiles · reptilelike

Synonyms

chelonian · tortoise · testudine · terrapin · shellpad · chelid · turpin · shield-toad · birdling