turtle
tur·tle / ˈtərtl/ • n. 1. a slow-moving reptile (family Testudinidae) of warm climates, enclosed in a scaly or leathery domed shell into which it can retract its head and thick legs. 2. (also sea turtle) a large marine reptile (families Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) with a bony or leathery shell and flippers, coming ashore annually on sandy beaches to lay eggs. ∎ the flesh of a sea turtle, esp. the green turtle, used chiefly for soup. 3. a freshwater reptile (Emydidae and other families) related to the turtles, typically having a flattened shell. Called terrapin in South Africa and India and tortoise in Australia. ∎ any reptile of this order, including the terrapins and tortoises. 4. Comput. a directional cursor in a computer graphics system that can be instructed to move around a screen.5. short for turtleneck.PHRASES: turn turtle (chiefly of a boat) capsize.
