tortoise
UK: ˈtɔː.təs | US: ˈtɔːr.t̬əs
n. a slow-moving, typically herbivorous land reptile with a bony or leathery shell.
tortoise = tort<twisted> + oise (obsolete suffix, possibly from Latin -uca)
- tort<twisted>: From Latin tortus (twisted), referring to the animal’s crooked feet or curved shell.
- oise: A suffix of uncertain origin, possibly derived from Latin -uca (a noun-forming suffix).
Etymology Origin:
The word "tortoise" traces back to Middle English tortuce, borrowed from Old French tortue, which likely originated from Latin tartarūcha (a mythical beast from Tartarus) or tortuca (twisted), referencing the animal’s bent limbs or shell shape. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, losing its mythical connotations to focus on the reptile’s physical traits.
The tortoise retreated into its shell when startled.
Aesop’s fable compares the slow tortoise to the swift hare.
Desert tortoises are protected species in many regions.
The Galápagos tortoise can live over 100 years.
She adopted a tortoise and built an outdoor enclosure for it.