Turtle Definition

tûrtl
turtled, turtles, turtling
noun
turtles
Any of a large and widely distributed order (Testudines) of terrestrial or aquatic reptiles having a toothless beak and a soft body encased in a tough shell into which, in most species, the head, tail, and four legs may be withdrawn.
Webster's New World
Any of various members of this order that live in fresh or brackish water, in contrast to the terrestrial tortoises.
American Heritage
The flesh of some turtles, used as food.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
A sea turtle.
American Heritage
verb
turtled, turtles, turtling
To hunt for turtles.
Webster's New World
To capsize.
American Heritage

To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.

Wiktionary

To turn and swim upside down.

Wiktionary

(video games) To build up a large defense force and strike only punctually, rather than going for an offensive strategy.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
idiom
turn turtle
  • to turn upside down; capsize
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Turtle

Noun

Singular:
turtle
Plural:
turtles

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Turtle

Origin of Turtle

  • Alteration (influenced by turtle) of Middle English tortu from Old French tortue ultimately (probably with influence from Old French tortu crooked) (and tordu twisted, from the shape of its legs) from Vulgar Latin tartarūca feminine of *tartarūcus of Tartarus (the turtle being a symbol of the forces of darkness in early Christian iconography) from Late Latin tartarūchus from Late Greek tartaroukhos occupying Tartarus Tartaros Tartarus ekhein to hold eunuch

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Modification of French tortue (probably under the influence of turtledove). See tortoise for more.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English from Latin turtur probably of imitative origin

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Old English turtla, ultimately from Latin turtur (“turtledove"), of imitative origin.

    From Wiktionary

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