tortoiseshell
See also: tortoise shell and tortoise-shell
English
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Kleiner_Fuchs_%28Nymphalis_urticae%29.jpg/220px-Kleiner_Fuchs_%28Nymphalis_urticae%29.jpg)
Etymology
Pronunciation
Noun
tortoiseshell (usually uncountable, plural tortoiseshells)
- The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.
- The hawksbill turtle.
- A domestic cat (or a rabbit, guinea-pig, etc.) whose fur has black, brown and yellow markings.
- Any of several butterflies, mostly of the genera Nymphalis and Aglais that have similar markings.
Synonyms
Translations
covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle
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Adjective
tortoiseshell (not comparable)
- Made of the covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
- Having markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
Derived terms
Translations
made of covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle
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