n. 1 any slow-moving land or freshwater reptile of the family Testudinidae, encased in a scaly or leathery domed shell, and having a retractile head and elephantine legs. 2 Rom. Antiq. = TESTUDO. tortoise-like adj. & adv.
[ ME tortuce, OF tortue, f. med.L tortuca, of uncert. orig. ]