turtle

n. [ Probably the same word as the word preceding, and substituted (probably by sailors) for the Spanish or Portuguese name; cf. Sp. tortuga tortoise, turtle, Pg. tartaruga, also F. tortue, and E. tortoise. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Zool.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a sea turtle, or chelonian. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises are also called turtles. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Printing) The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press. [ 1913 Webster ]

Alligator turtle,
Box turtle, etc. See under Alligator, Box, etc. --
green turtle (Zool.), a marine turtle of the genus Chelonia, having usually a smooth greenish or olive-colored shell. It is highly valued for the delicacy of its flesh, which is used especially for turtle soup. Two distinct species or varieties are known; one of which (Chelonia Midas) inhabits the warm part of the Atlantic Ocean, and sometimes weighs eight hundred pounds or more; the other (Chelonia virgata) inhabits the Pacific Ocean. Both species are similar in habits and feed principally on seaweed and other marine plants, especially the turtle grass. --
Turtle cowrie (Zool.), a large, handsome cowrie (Cypraea testudinaria); the turtle-shell; so called because of its fancied resemblance to a tortoise in color and form. --
Turtle grass (Bot.), a marine plant (Thalassia testudinum) with grasslike leaves, common about the West Indies. --
Turtle shell, tortoise shell. See under Tortoise. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Archaeol.) A rude stone celt of a form suggesting the back of a turtle. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. (Naut.) A convex deck at the bow or stern of a vessel, so made to shed the seas quickly. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ See 1st Turtle. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of pigeons belonging to Turtur and allied genera, native of various parts of the Old World; especially, the common European species (Turtur vulgaris), which is noted for its plaintive note, affectionate disposition, and devotion to its mate. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The South African turtledove (Turtur albiventris), and the ashy turtledove of India (Turtur rubicolus), are similar to the European species in their habits. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of pigeons more or less resembling the true turtledoves, as the American mourning dove (see under Dove), and the Australian turtledove (Stictopelia cuneata). [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The turtledove of the Scriptures is probably Turtur risorius, a species which is still plentiful in Egypt and other Eastern countries. It is closely allied to the European turtledove. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Slow-footed. [ R. ] “Turtle-footed Peace.” Ford. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) An American perennial herb (Chelone glabra) having white flowers shaped like the head of a turtle. Called also snakehead, shell flower, and balmony. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A sharp steel spear attached to a cord, used in taking sea turtles. -- Turtle pegging. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. One who catches turtles or tortoises. “The Jamaica turtlers.” Dampier. [ 1913 Webster ]