testaceous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   zoology and botany: dull brick-red, orange-brown, or yellowish-brown in color

   The male spider was testaceous, while the much larger female was nearly black.

2. 2
   adj

   having or relating to a hard shell

   The naturalist separated the testaceous molluscs from the shell-less forms.

3. 3
   adj

   obsolete: made of or resembling baked clay or earthenware

   The excavation yielded several testaceous vessels hardened in a kiln.

From Latin testaceus, 'made of tiles, earthenware, or shell,' from testa, 'earthen pot, potsherd, or shell.' Naturalists extended the word both to shell-bearing animals and to the dull brick-like color associated with fired clay.

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