turtle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar
    turtleneck; polo-neck.
  2. noun any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming
  3. verb overturn accidentally
    capsize; turn turtle.
    • Don't rock the boat or it will capsize!
  4. verb hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation

WordNet

Tur"tle noun
Etymology
AS. turtle, L. turtur; probably of imitative origin. Cf. Turtle the sea tortoise.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The turtledove.
Tur"tle noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a sea turtle, or chelonian. ✍ In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises are also called turtles.
  2. (Printing) The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.

Webster 1913