tortoiseshell

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tor·toise·shell

also tor·toise shell (tôr′tĭs-shĕl′)
n.
1.
a. The mottled, horny, translucent, brownish covering of the carapace of certain tortoises or turtles, especially the hawksbill, formerly widely used to make combs, jewelry, and other articles.
b. A synthetic imitation of natural tortoiseshell.
2. See hawksbill.
3. A domestic cat having a coat with irregular patches of different colors, usually black and reddish-orange.
4. Any of several butterflies, chiefly of the genus Nymphalis, having wings with orange, black, and brown markings.
tor′toise-shell′ adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

tortoiseshell

(ˈtɔːtəsˌʃɛl)
n
1. (Animals) a horny translucent yellow-and-brown mottled substance obtained from the outer layer of the shell of the hawksbill turtle: used for making ornaments, jewellery, etc
2. a similar synthetic substance, esp plastic or celluloid, now more widely used than the natural product
3. (Breeds) Also called: tortoiseshell cat a breed of domestic cat, usually female, having black, cream, and brownish markings
4. (Animals) any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, and related genera, having orange-brown wings with black markings
5. (Animals) tortoiseshell turtle another name for hawksbill turtle
6. (Colours)
a. a yellowish-brown mottled colour
b. (as adjective): a tortoiseshell décor.
7. (modifier) made of tortoiseshell: a tortoiseshell comb.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

tor•toise•shell

(ˈtɔr təsˌʃɛl)

n. Also, tor′toise shell`.
1. the horny brown and yellow layer on the outer surface of the hawksbill turtle's carapace, used for making combs and ornamental articles.
2. any synthetic substance made to look like natural tortoiseshell.
3. any of several butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, typically with bright, variegated markings.
adj.
4. mottled or variegated like tortoiseshell, esp. with yellow and brown and sometimes other colors.
5. made of tortoiseshell.
6. (of a domestic cat) having a variegated black, orange, and cream coat.
Also, tor′toise-shell`.
[1595–1605]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun 1. [画像:tortoiseshell - the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles]tortoiseshell - the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles
horn - the material (mostly keratin) that covers the horns of ungulates and forms hooves and claws and nails
2. [画像:tortoiseshell - brilliantly colored]tortoiseshell - brilliantly colored; larvae feed on nettles
brush-footed butterfly, four-footed butterfly, nymphalid, nymphalid butterfly - medium to large butterflies found worldwide typically having brightly colored wings and much-reduced nonfunctional forelegs carried folded on the breast
genus Nymphalis, Nymphalis - type genus of the Nymphalidae: mourning cloak butterflies
3. [画像:tortoiseshell - a cat having black and cream-colored and yellowish markings]tortoiseshell - a cat having black and cream-colored and yellowish markings
domestic cat, Felis catus, Felis domesticus, house cat - any domesticated member of the genus Felis
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
želvovinaželvovinový

tortoiseshell

[ˈtɔːtəsʃel]
A. N
1. (= shell) → carey m, concha f
2. (= cat) → gato m pardo
3. (= butterfly) → ortiguera f
B. CPD [box, ornament] → de carey, de concha
tortoiseshell glasses NPL → gafas fpl de carey
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

tortoiseshell

[ˈtɔːrtəsʃɛl] adj [brooch, comb, spectacles] → en écaille tortoiseshell cat n → chat m écaille et blanc
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

tortoiseshell

n
→ Schildpatt m; (esp for spectacle frames) → Horn nt
(also tortoiseshell cat) → Schildpattkatze f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

tortoiseshell

[ˈtɔːtəsˌʃɛl]
1. n → guscio di tartaruga
2. adj → di tartaruga
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
References in classic literature ?
A tall young man, with light hair, clear gray eyes, and thin and compressed lips, dressed in a blue coat with beautifully carved gold buttons, a white neckcloth, and a tortoiseshell eye-glass suspended by a silken thread, and which, by an effort of the superciliary and zygomatic muscles, he fixed in his eye, entered, with a half-official air, without smiling or speaking.
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That jewelled ornament, which I remember often telling Rita was of a very Philistinish conception (it was in some way connected with a tortoiseshell comb) occupied an undue place in my memory, tried to come into some sort of significance even in my sleep.
View in context
Mercy took an instantaneous dislike to this hobbling, ugly old man, staring at her rudely through his great tortoiseshell spectacles.
View in context
Franklin," said the old man, taking off his heavy tortoiseshell spectacles, and pushing Rosanna Spearman's confession a little away from him.
View in context
Just 23,000 small tortoiseshells were spotted by volunteers over three weeks in the summer, wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation said.
Butterfly in decline
Eyespace believes that its 'next-generation tortoiseshells' will be making their mark throughout 2017, with the 1970s revival continuing, according to the company.
For fast impact
The sweet, fruity smell of its flowers attracts swarms of peacocks, red admirals and small tortoiseshells.
Enjoy a flutter; Best blooms for butterflies
Government figures show a sharp fall in butterflies - including small tortoiseshells, gatekeepers, large skippers and small coppers - on agricultural land.
Farm birds & butterflies taking flight
Dr Tom Brereton, Butterfly Conservation head of monitoring, said: "The emergence and immigration of continental swallowtails and scarce tortoiseshells has made 2014 a truly remarkable butterfly year and with a bit of luck, 2015 could shape up to be even more memorable.
Getting butterflies over arrival of exotic species
He said the increase in small tortoiseshells was "fantastic news" for a species which suffered major losses to its population in the past few decades.
Rise in small tortoiseshells despite cold
"The spectacle of Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells flitting around buddleia bushes is one of the classic sights of British summertime.
Public urged to help count butterflies

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