Dictionary

turtling en · NOUN · etymology 1

Etymology

From turtle + -ing.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The hunting of turtles (the reptiles).
2. (uncountable) Turning turtle.
3. (figuratively, uncountable) Any slow progression or build-up.
4. (uncountable) A defensive strategy of avoiding conflict, by maintaining strong defense and little to no offense, while remaining in a fixed position.

turtling en · VERB · etymology 1

Etymology

From turtle + -ing.

Meanings

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present) present participle and gerund of turtle
   form of turtle

turtling en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Etymology tree English turtle Proto-Indo-European *-lósder. Proto-Germanic *-ilaz Proto-Indo-European *-n̥kʷo-der.? Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz ? Proto-Germanic *-ingaz Proto-Germanic *-ilingaz Proto-West Germanic *-ling Old English -ling Middle English -ling English -ling English turtling From turtle + -ling.

Meanings

1. A baby turtle.
   • Fifty days later, more or less, the little turtlings hatch, dig their way up through the sand, and make a mad scramble to the sea. 2012, Alexandra de Vries, Shawn Blore, Frommer's Brazil:
   • The turtle-lings, kept in safety until they are three months old, are then released into the wild. 1997, Sportdiving, volumes 59-64, page 94:
   • Drowsy with dawn, barely asail, Buzzes the blue-bottle over the shale, Scared from the pool by the leaping trout; And the brood of turtlings clamber out On the log by their oozy house. 1912, William Vaughn Moody, The poems and plays of William Vaughn Moody:

Forms

Synonyms

turtlet