tortoise

English

/ˈtɔːɹ.təs/, /ˈtɔː.təs/, /ˈtɔːˌtɔɪs/

noun
Definitions
  • Any of various land-dwelling reptiles, of the family Testudinidae (chiefly) or the order Testudines (chiefly), whose body is enclosed in a shell (carapace plus plastron). The animal can withdraw its head and four legs partially into the shell, providing some protection from predators.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English tortuse derived from Latin tortuca, tartarūcha derived from Ancient Greek ταρταροῦχος (inhabitant of Tartarus, the land of the dead in ancient stories, Tartarus, holder of Tartaros) derived from Latin tortus (twisted, folded over).

Origin

Latin

tortus

Gloss

twisted, folded over

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms