tortoiseshell

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

Also spelled tortoise-shell

US /ˈtɔː(ɹ)təˌʃɛl/
adj noun Freq #90222

Meanings

  1. 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.

  2. 2
    noun

    A cat with black, brown, and orange markings.

    Their tortoiseshell curled up on the windowsill.

  3. 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.

Topics

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