Tortoiseshell
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈtɔː(ɹ)təˌʃɛl/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Tortoiseshell is a noun meaning The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.
Meaning
The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.
More Meanings
- The hawksbill turtle.
- A domestic cat (or a rabbit, guinea-pig, etc.) whose fur has black, brown and yellow markings.
- Any of several butterflies, mostly of the genera Nymphalis and Aglais that have similar markings.
- Made of the covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
- Having markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
Example Sentences
Speaking of round sunglasses, these lightweight polarized ones and come in two shades of tortoiseshell as well as black and bronze.
Word Forms
- tortoiseshells
Synonyms for tortoiseshell
Depending on context, synonyms include tort, tortie.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include hawkbill, hawksbill, rhamphotheca, shell, rhinotheca, wattle.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.