Background for turtle

turtle

/ˈtɜːtəl/ /ˈtɝtəl/

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noun

Any land or marine reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.

Examples :

"The little turtle slowly crossed the schoolyard. "

animal biology nature organism environment

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noun

(specifically) A marine reptile of that order.

Examples :

"The marine biologist studied the turtle's nesting habits on the beach. "

animal biology ocean

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noun

An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.

Examples :

"The Roman soldiers used the "turtle" formation to protect themselves from the enemy's arrows during the siege. "

military war history weapon action

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noun

A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program.

Examples :

"The science class used a turtle robot to draw a simple picture of a house. "

technology computing education machine device

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noun

An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.

Examples :

"The computer program used a turtle to draw a simple house for the student's art project. "

computing technology electronics

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noun

The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.

Examples :

"The printer used a special turtle to hold the image for printing. "

technology machine writing type

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noun

A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position. Compare rabbit.

Examples :

"The turtle in the list of homework assignments was the last one I finished, taking hours to complete. "

computing technical language science type word list process

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noun

A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer's weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular "walk".

Examples :

"The breakdancer practiced his turtle, shifting his weight smoothly from one hand to the other, creating a slow, circular movement. "

dance sport entertainment

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noun

A low stand for a lamp etc.

Examples :

"The lamp had a small turtle, a low stand, that made it easy to adjust its height. "

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verb

To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.

Examples :

"The child accidentally turtle the small toy car, sending it rolling across the floor. "

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verb

To turn and swim upside down.

Examples :

"The little turtle turned and swam upside down in the pond after a playful fish bumped into it. "

animal action biology

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verb

To hunt turtles, especially in the water.

Examples :

"The fishermen were turtle hunting in the bay. "

animal action food ocean

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verb

To build up a large defense force and strike only punctually, rather than going for an offensive strategy.

Examples :

"The school board decided to turtle their position on the new budget, waiting for a better moment to present their demands. "

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noun

A turtle dove.

Examples :

"My grandmother used to raise turtle doves as pets. "

animal bird nature