turtle \tur"tle\, n. probably the same word as the word
   preceding, and substituted probably by sailors for the
   spanish or portuguese name; cf. sp. tortuga tortoise, turtle,
   pg. tartaruga, also f. tortue, and e. tortoise.
   1913 webster
   1913 webster
   1. zool. any one of the numerous species of testudinata,
      especially a sea turtle, or chelonian.
      1913 webster

   note: in the united states the land and fresh-water tortoises
         are also called turtles.
         1913 webster

   2. printing the curved plate in which the form is held in a
      type-revolving cylinder press.
      1913 webster

   alligator turtle, box turtle, etc. see under alligator,
      box, etc.

   green turtle zool., a marine turtle of the genus
      chelonia, having usually a smooth greenish or
      olive-colored shell. it is highly valued for the delicacy
      of its flesh, which is used especially for turtle soup.
      two distinct species or varieties are known; one of which
      chelonia midas inhabits the warm part of the atlantic
      ocean, and sometimes weighs eight hundred pounds or more;
      the other chelonia virgata inhabits the pacific ocean.
      both species are similar in habits and feed principally on
      seaweed and other marine plants, especially the turtle
      grass.

   turtle cowrie zool., a large, handsome cowrie cypraea
      testudinaria; the turtle-shell; so called because of its
      fancied resemblance to a tortoise in color and form.

   turtle grass bot., a marine plant thalassia
      testudinum with grasslike leaves, common about the west
      indies.

   turtle shell, tortoise shell. see under tortoise.
      1913 webster
see also:
alligator turtle box turtle alligator box green turtle chelonia 
chelonia midas chelonia virgata turtle cowrie cypraea testudinaria turtle grass 
thalassia testudinum turtle shell tortoise