testudines

Variant of testudo

testudo definition

tes·tudo (tes to̵̅o̅′dō, -tyo̵̅o̅′-)

noun pl. testudines -·di·nes′ (-di nēz′)

  1. a movable shelter or screen with a strong arched roof, used as a protection by ancient Roman soldiers
  2. a protective covering over a group of ancient Roman soldiers, formed by overlapping their shields above their heads

Etymology: L, tortoise, tortoise shell, hence protective covering, shed < testa, shell: see test

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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