ˈtȯr]d.əs, -ȯ(ə)], ]təs sometimes ]ˌtȯiz or ]ˌtȯis\ noun
( plural tortoises also tortoise )
Etymology: Middle English tortuce, tortous, tortuse, probably alteration (the gen. being taken as the noun attrib.) of tortu, from Middle French tortue — more at turtle
1. : a reptile of the order Testudinata : turtle — used especially of terrestrial forms; see giant tortoise
2. : someone or something regarded as slow, tardy, or laggard
complacent about the tortoise , Reaction, plodding up from the rear — H.L.Smith b. 1906
3. : tortoiseshell
4. : a strong brown that is yellower, less strong, and slightly lighter than average russet, yellower and less strong than rust, and yellower and slightly duller than gold brown
5. : testudo 2