tortoiseshell

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Having markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.

   Speaking of round sunglasses, these lightweight polarized ones and come in two shades of tortoiseshell as well as black and bronze.

2. 2
   noun

   a cat having black and cream-colored and yellowish markings

3. 3
   noun

   brilliantly colored

4. 4
   noun

   the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles

5. 5
   noun

   The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.

6. 6
   noun

   The hawksbill turtle.

7. 7
   noun

   A domestic cat (or a rabbit, guinea-pig, etc.) whose fur has black, brown and yellow markings.

8. 8
   noun

   Any of several butterflies, mostly of the genera Nymphalis and Aglais that have similar markings.

Etymology

From tortoise + shell.