turtle
UK: ˈtɜːtl | US: ˈtɜːrtl
n. a slow-moving reptile with a protective shell
n. (computing) a cursor resembling the animal, used in early graphics systems
vi. to hunt or catch turtles
The word "turtle" traces back to the Latin turtur, likely imitative of the sound turtles make. The diminutive suffix -le (common in Old English) softened the term into its modern form. Initially referring to land tortoises, it later expanded to aquatic species. The computing sense (1960s) humorously reflects the creature’s slow movement.
A sea turtle laid its eggs on the beach at dawn.
The logo design featured a pixelated turtle from an old programming language.
They went turtling in the Caribbean during their vacation.
The turtle retreated into its shell when startled.
Ancient myths often depict the world resting on a giant turtle’s back.