[ 'tɔ:təs , -tɔɪz ]
■ noun
1》 a slow-moving land reptile of warm climates, enclosed in a scaly or leathery domed shell into which it can retract its head and legs. [Family Testudinidae: many species.]
2》 a testudo.
Origin
ME tortu , tortuce : from OFr. tortue and Sp. tortuga , both from med. L. tortuca , of uncertain origin.