tortoiseshell

tortoiseshell Definition

tor·toise·shell (-s̸hel′)

noun

the hard, mottled, yellow-and-brown shell of some turtles and tortoises, used in inlaying and, esp. formerly, in making combs, frames for eyeglasses, etc.
a synthetic substance made in imitation of this
a mottled, yellow-and-brown color pattern
any of several common, black and yellow-brown butterflies (genus Nymphalis) with markings resembling those of tortoise shell
a cat with a mottled coat of black, brown, red or yellow, white, etc.

Also tortoise-shell tor′toise-shell′

tortoiseshell Usage Examples

Converse of object

include: These include the small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral and comma.
see: I live in Faversham, Kent, and have seen one small tortoiseshell in my garden this week.
find: On a sunny day, it is a good spot to find small tortoiseshell, ringlet and small blue butterflies.

Adjective modifier

small: The first Small Tortoiseshells of the year were on the wing at several sites.
large: This bird arrived during a period of southerly winds, when Glossy Ibis and Large Tortoiseshell appeared in our area.
few: I've also discovered that there are a few tortoiseshells around that are males... I always thought they could only be females.

Modifies a noun

butterfly: You may find that a bat or small tortoiseshell butterfly may roost or hibernate in this secret hideaway.
cat: All tortoiseshell cats are females, except in very rare cases where the cat has a disorder of the chromosomes!
tom: The tortoiseshell tom watched her accusingly from the rock garden.
female: These males are your key to breeding black tortoiseshell females.
glass: He glances down at his Omega Seamaster watch and peers over his Calvin Klein faux tortoiseshell glasses at the closed door to the boardroom.
jewelry: You will see vendors of tortoiseshell jewelry in blatant violation of Panamanian law.

Noun used with modifier

faux: He glances down at his Omega Seamaster watch and peers over his Calvin Klein faux tortoiseshell glasses at the closed door to the boardroom.
imitation: Imitation tortoiseshell is likely to be cellulose nitrate ( which smells of camphor ).

Browse dictionary entries near tortoiseshell