turtle1

[tur-tl] /ˈtɜr tl/
noun, plural turtles (especially collectively) turtle.
1.
any reptile of the order Testudines, comprising aquatic and terrestrial species having the trunk enclosed in a shell consisting of a dorsal carapace and a ventral plastron.
2.
(not used technically) an aquatic turtle as distinguished from a terrestrial one.
Compare tortoise (def 1).
verb (used without object), turtled, turtling.
3.
to catch turtles, especially as a business.
Idioms
4.
turn turtle,
  1. Nautical. to capsize or turn over completely in foundering.
  2. to overturn; upset:
    Several of the cars turned turtle in the course of the race.
Origin
1625-35; alteration (influenced by turtle2) of French tortue < Medieval Latin tortūca tortoise
Related forms
turtler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for turn turtle

turtle1

/ˈtɜːtəl/
noun
1.
any of various aquatic chelonian reptiles, esp those of the marine family Chelonidae, having a flattened shell enclosing the body and flipper-like limbs adapted for swimming related adjectives chelonian testudinal
2.
(US & Canadian) any of the chelonian reptiles, including the tortoises and terrapins
3.
(nautical) a zip bag made as part of a spinnaker for holding the sail so that it can be set rapidly
4.
turn turtle, to capsize
verb
5.
(intransitive) to catch or hunt turtles
Derived Forms
turtler, noun
Word Origin
C17: from French tortuetortoise (influenced by turtle²)

turtle2

/ˈtɜːtəl/
noun
1.
an archaic name for turtledove
Word Origin
Old English turtla, from Latin turtur, of imitative origin; related to German Turteltaube
Word Origin and History for turn turtle

turtle

n.

reptile, c.1600, "marine tortoise," from French tortue "turtle, tortoise," of unknown origin. The English word is perhaps a sailors' mauling of the French one, influenced by the similar sounding turtle (n.2). Later extended to land tortoises; sea-turtle is attested from 1610s. Turtleneck "close-fitting collar" is recorded from 1895.

"turtledove," Old English turtle, dissimilation of Latin turtur "turtledove," a reduplicated form imitative of the bird's call. Graceful, harmonious and affectionate to its mate, hence a term of endearment in Middle English. Turtledove is attested from c.1300.

Slang definitions & phrases for turn turtle

turn turtle

verb phrase

To turn upside down; capsize: in the heavier puffs, they thought she would turn turtle

[1860+; fr earlier turn the turtle, found by 1818, referring to making a turtle helpless by turning it on its back]


turtle

Related Terms

turn turtle


Idioms and Phrases with turn turtle

turn turtle

Capsize, turn upside down, as in When they collided, the car turned turtle. This expression alludes to the helplessness of a turtle turned on its back, where its shell can no longer protect it. [ First half of 1800s ]

turtle

see: turn turtle