Also spelled tortoise-shell
adj
noun
Freq #90222
Meanings
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1
noun
The hard, mottled brown and yellow material from a turtle's shell, used for ornaments.
The antique comb was made of polished tortoiseshell.
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2
noun
A cat with black, brown, and orange markings.
Their tortoiseshell curled up on the windowsill.
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3
adj
Having a brown, black, and yellow mottled pattern.
He bought a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
2
noun
· a cat with black, brown,...
tortiecalico cat
Word family
Forms
tortoiseshells
Etymology
From tortoise + shell.