testudo

(tes to̵̅o̅dō, -tyo̵̅o̅-)

noun pl. testudines

  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

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

See testudo in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. tes·tu·dos
  1. A Roman siege device consisting of a movable screen protecting the besiegers' approach to a wall.
  2. A cover formed by the overlapping shields of besiegers and held over their heads.

Origin:

Origin: Latin testūdō

Origin: , from testa, shell

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