Pronunciations (3)
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/ˈtɜːtl̩/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/ˈtɝtl̩/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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[ˈtʰɝɾɫ̩]
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
Noun
Any land, aquatic, or semi-aquatic reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.
Usage- Canada
- US usage
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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A unique anti-aphrodisiac was the heart of a turtle carried in a wolf's skin. It prevented a person from ever being tempted amorously.
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.
Usage- Australia
- Canada
- UK usage
- US usage
- specifically
- Synonyms
Senses resembling a turtle in protection
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.
Usage- Historical
- Synonyms
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.
Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Depending on which version of Logo you have, the turtle may look like an actual animal with a head and four legs or — as in Berkeley Logo — it may be represented as a triangle.
Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement 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".
Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement A position reminiscent of a turtle.
- Examples
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More examples (2)
At home the child can have a simple horizontal bar on which he may swing by his hands. He may also use dumb-bells and clubs. A very valuable position is what may be called the "turtle position." The patient lies prone upon the face, with the arms extended, and with the head carried upward and backward as far as possible. This exercises strongly the muscles of the upper part of the spine
A front somersault as executed in the water is basically the same type of movement as that executed in tumbling activities. A front somersault can be executed with the body in a tuck (turtle position) or pike (knees straight, body bent at hips so feet are near head) position, in shallow or deep water, from a back or prone float position.
Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement 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.
Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement A low stand for a lamp, etc.
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Alan Bermingham, Location Lighting for Television Using an appropriate turtle allows the full range of pan and tilt adjustments on the luminaire and avoids possible heat damage to floor coverings.
Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement A candy with pecans, caramel, and chocolate, often shaped like a turtle.
Senses resembling a turtle in shape or movement The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.
Usage- Historical
Senses resembling a turtle in slowness
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.
Verb
To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Were speeding when car turtled […] Auto crashed into curb and turtled.
To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. To turn and swim upside down.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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I turtled my board beneath it, flipped upright, and started paddling again.
To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. To capsize, turning fully over.
Usage- Intransitive
- of a ship
- Synonyms
To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down. To fall with one arm behind a rope, forcing the climber to dangle on their back, leaving them helpless.
Usage- Intransitive
To move along slowly.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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We turtled along in Manitoba, back into the heart of the prairies.
To hunt turtles, especially in the water.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Of these, 80 turtled (65%), 26 hunted and turtled (20%), and 18 hunted (15%).
To build up a large defense force and strike only occasionally, rather than going for an offensive strategy.
Usage- Intransitive
Noun
A turtle dove.
Usage- Archaic
- Intransitive
- Examples
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The same he tooke, and with a riband new, / In which his Ladies colours were, did bind / About the turtles neck […].
As the turtle, every day has been a black day with her since her husband died, and what should we unruly members make here?
Noun
A turtle-neck garment.
Usage- Intransitive
Noun
a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar
- Synonyms
any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming
- Broader terms
Verb
overturn accidentally
- Synonyms
- Examples
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Don't rock the boat or it will capsize!
hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation
- Broader terms