DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Ter·ra·pin n.  Zool. Any one of numerous species of tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for food. [Written also terapin, terrapen, terrapene, turpen, and turapen.]
 Note: ☞ The yellow-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys scabra) of the Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa or Chrysemys rubriventris), native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also potter, slider, and redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh terrapin (Malaclemmys palustris), are the most important American species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the Atlantic coast of the United States.
 Alligator terrapin, the snapping turtle.
 Mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of American tortoises of the genus Cinosternon.
 Painted terrapin, the painted turtle. See under Painted.
 Speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water American terrapin (Chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round yellow spots; -- called also spotted turtle.
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 Tor·toise n.
 1. Zool. Any one of numerous species of reptiles of the order Testudinata.
 Note: ☞ The term is applied especially to the land and fresh-water species, while the marine species are generally called turtles, but the terms tortoise and turtle are used synonymously by many writers.  See Testudinata, Terrapin, and Turtle.
 2. Rom. Antiq. Same as Testudo, 2.
 Box tortoise, Land tortoise, etc. See under Box, Land, etc.
 Painted tortoise. Zool. See Painted turtle, under Painted.
 Soft-shell tortoise. Zool. See Trionyx.
 Spotted tortoise. Zool. A small American fresh-water tortoise (Chelopus guttatus or Nanemys guttatus) having a blackish carapace on which are scattered round yellow spots.
 Tortoise beetle Zool., any one of numerous species of small tortoise-shaped beetles.  Many of them have a brilliant metallic luster.  The larvae feed upon the leaves of various plants, and protect themselves beneath a mass of dried excrement held over the back by means of the caudal spines.  The golden tortoise beetle (Cassida aurichalcea) is found on the morning-glory vine and allied plants.
 Tortoise plant. Bot. See Elephant's foot, under Elephant.
 Tortoise shell, the substance of the shell or horny plates of several species of sea turtles, especially of the hawkbill turtle. It is used in inlaying and in the manufacture of various ornamental articles.
 Tortoise-shell butterfly Zool., any one of several species of handsomely colored butterflies of the genus Aglais, as Aglais Milberti, and Aglais urticae, both of which, in the larva state, feed upon nettles.
 Tortoise-shell turtle Zool., the hawkbill turtle. See Hawkbill.
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