aspidochelone

English

The Aspidochelone lures hapless mariners to land on its back.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀσπιδοχελώνη (aspidokhelṓnē).

Noun

aspidochelone (plural aspidochelones)

1. A fabled sea creature according to the tradition of the Physiologus 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.

Translations

fabled sea creature

• Armenian:

  Old Armenian: վահանակրեայ (vahanakreay)

• French: aspidochélon
• Georgian:

  Old Georgian: ვაჰანაკრაჲ (vahanaḳray)

• Greek:

  Ancient: ἀσπιδοχελώνη (aspidokhelṓnē)

Further reading

• aspidochelone on Wikipedia.Wikipedia