“turtles” is a form of
turtle
UK /ˈtɜːtl̩/ · US /ˈtɝtl̩/ noun, verb, proper noun
Forms turtles turtling turtled tortle
- noun (zoology, US, Canada) Any land, aquatic, or semi-aquatic reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.
- noun (zoology, Australia, UK, specifically) A marine reptile of that order.
- noun Senses resembling a turtle in protection
- noun (military, historical) 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.
- noun (computing) 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.
- noun (computing) An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.
- noun (dance) 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".
- noun A position reminiscent of a turtle.
- verb To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.
- verb To turn and swim upside down.
- verb (nautical, of a ship) To capsize, turning fully over.
- verb (climbing) To fall with one arm behind a rope, forcing the climber to dangle on their back, leaving them helpless.
- verb To move along slowly.
- verb To hunt turtles, especially in the water.
- verb (video games, board games) To build up a large defense force and strike only occasionally, rather than going for an offensive strategy.
- noun (now rare, archaic) A turtle dove.
- noun A turtle-neck garment.
- proper noun A river in Saskatchewan, Canada.
- proper noun An extinct town in Dent County, Missouri, United States.
- proper noun A town in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States.
Synonyms
birdling shellpad shield-toad sea turtle testudo chelid chelonian terrapin testudine tortoise turpin turn turtle prairie dog crown grow a tail turtleneck polo-neck capsize
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).
From Middle English turtle, tortle, turtel, turtul, from Old English turtle, turtla (“turtledove”), ultimately from Latin turtur (“turtledove”), of imitative origin.
Ellipsis of turtle-neck
Webster’s 1913
- noun The turtledove.
- noun Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a sea turtle, or chelonian.
- noun The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press. Alligator turtle, Box turtle, etc. See under Alligator, Box, etc. --green turtle (Zoöl.), a marine turtle of the genus Chelonia, having usually a smooth greenish or olive-colored shell. It is highly valued for the delicacy of its flesh, which is used especially for turtle soup. Two distinct species or varieties are known; one of which (Chelonia Midas) inhabits the warm part of the Atlantic Ocean, and sometimes weighs eight hundred pounds or more; the other (C. virgata) inhabits the Pacific Ocean. Both species are si
Etymology [AS. turtle, L. turtur; probably of imitative origin. Cf. Turtle the sea tortoise.]
Etymology [Probably the same word as the word preceding, and substituted (probably by sailors) for the Spanish or Portuguese name; cf. Sp. tortuga tortoise, turtle, Pg. tartaruga, also F. tortue, and E. tortoise.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “turtle”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details