turtle Meaning & Definition
What Does Turtle Mean?
Turtle is used as a noun meaning Any land, aquatic, or semi-aquatic reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise. It can also mean A marine reptile of that order. As a verb, it means To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. To turn and swim upside down. To capsize, turning fully over.
Quick Facts About Turtle
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈtɜːtl̩/ |
| Plural | turtles |
| Verb forms | turtles, turtling, turtled |
Turtle Definition (Noun)
- Any land, aquatic, or semi-aquatic reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.
- A marine reptile of that order.
- Senses resembling a turtle in protection An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.
- An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.
- Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program. An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing. A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer's weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular "walk". A position reminiscent of a turtle. A position in which a person drops down all fours, limbs and chin tucked in, to protect their core. A low stand for a lamp, etc. A candy with pecans, caramel, and chocolate, often shaped like a turtle. The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.
- A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program.
- An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.
- A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer's weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular "walk".
- A position reminiscent of a turtle. A position in which a person drops down all fours, limbs and chin tucked in, to protect their core.
- A position in which a person drops down all fours, limbs and chin tucked in, to protect their core.
- A low stand for a lamp, etc.
- A candy with pecans, caramel, and chocolate, often shaped like a turtle.
- The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.
- Senses resembling a turtle in slowness A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position.
- A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position.
Turtle as a Verb
- To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. To turn and swim upside down. To capsize, turning fully over.
- To turn and swim upside down.
- To capsize, turning fully over.
- To fall with one arm behind a rope, forcing the climber to dangle on their back, leaving them helpless.
- To move along slowly.
- To hunt turtles, especially in the water.
- To build up a large defense force and strike only occasionally, rather than going for an offensive strategy.
- Ellipsis of turtle head (“to struggle to hold back an imminent bowel movement”).
Noun
- A turtle dove.
Noun
- A turtle-neck garment.
Synonyms of Turtle
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Turtle synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
turtle (plural turtles)
turtle (third-person singular simple present turtles, present participle turtling, simple past and past participle turtled)
Words That Rhyme With Turtle
Origin of Turtle
Origin 1: Modification of Middle English tortou, tortu, from Old French tortüe (under the influence of Middle English turtel, turtur (“turtledove”), see Etymology 2 below), from Old Occitan tortuga (compare Spanish tortuga), the same source of tortoise (see there for more). Displaced native Old English byrdling (See birdling).
Origin 2: From Middle English turtle, tortle, turtel, turtul, from Old English turtle, turtla (“turtledove”), ultimately from Latin turtur (“turtledove”), of imitative origin.
Origin 3: Ellipsis of turtle-neck
Frequently Asked Questions About Turtle
Is turtle a noun or a verb?
Turtle is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of turtle?
The plural of turtle is turtles.
What is the past tense of turtle?
The past tense of turtle is turtled. The present participle is turtling.