tortoiseshell

    [-s̸hel′]

 

Search Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. 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.
  2. a synthetic substance made in imitation of this
  3. a mottled, yellow-and-brown color pattern
  4. any of several common, black and yellow-brown butterflies (genus Nymphalis) with markings resembling those of tortoise shell
  5. a cat with a mottled coat of black, brown, red or yellow, white, etc.
Also tortoise-shell
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

 

Search The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

also tor·toise-shell or tor·toise shell

noun
  1. a. The mottled, horny, translucent, brownish covering of the carapace of certain tortoises or turtles, especially the hawksbill, used to make combs, jewelry, and other articles.
    b. A synthetic imitation of natural tortoiseshell.
  2. See hawksbill.
  3. A domestic cat having fur with brown, black, and yellowish markings.
  4. Any of several butterflies, chiefly of the genus Nymphalis, having wings with orange, black, and brown markings.

Related Forms:

  • torˈtoise·shellˌ adjective
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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