TORTOISESHELL Definition & Meaning

tortoiseshell

[ tawr-tuhs-shel ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a horny substance of a mottled brown and yellow coloration, composing the laminae that cover the inner body plates of the carapace of certain tortoises or turtles, especially the hawksbill, used for making combs and ornamental articles, inlaying, etc.
any synthetic substance made to look like natural tortoiseshell.
Also tortoiseshell butterfly. any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, as N. californica, having variegated markings of red, yellow, or orange on the wings.

adjective

mottled or variegated like tortoiseshell, especially with yellow and brown and sometimes other colors.
made of tortoiseshell.

tortoiseshell

/ ˈ��ɔː��ə��ˌʃɛ�� /

noun

a horny translucent yellow-and-brown mottled substance obtained from the outer layer of the shell of the hawksbill turtle: used for making ornaments, jewellery, etc
a similar synthetic substance, esp plastic or celluloid, now more widely used than the natural product
a breed of domestic cat, usually female, having black, cream, and brownish markings
any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, and related genera, having orange-brown wings with black markings
tortoiseshell turtle
another name for hawksbill turtle
1. a yellowish-brown mottled colour
2. ( as adjective )
  a tortoiseshell décor
modifier made of tortoiseshell
a tortoiseshell comb

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of tortoiseshell¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; tortoise + shell

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Most orange cats are boys, a quirk of feline genetics that also explains why almost all calicos and tortoiseshells are girls.

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Butterfly Conservation said it was the worst year recorded for the common blue, holly blue, green-veined white, small white, small tortoiseshell, painted lady and Scotch argus.

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He wore tortoiseshell glasses, a blue cardigan and hair cut for maximum pensive tucking behind ears.

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Ms. July, a writer, filmmaker and artist whose work plays with the boundaries of intimacy, was wearing round tortoiseshell sunglasses, and her hair was pulled back in a velvet bow.

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Her skin was dark brown and her hair was in a tortoiseshell clip.

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