aspidochelone

English

noun
Definitions
  • A fabled sea creature according to the tradition of the and medieval bestiaries, variously described as a large whale or vast sea turtle, and a giant sea monster with huge spines on the ridge of its back. It is often mistaken for an island, enticing unwitting sailors and drowning them.

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀσπιδοχελώνη.

Origin

Ancient Greek

ἀσπιδοχελώνη

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

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Cognates and derived terms