Word Study
testudinate |
testudinated |
testudineous |
testudines |
testudinidae |
Testudo
| testudo graeca
| testy
| tet
| tetanic
| tetanilla
Testudo
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun Testudo has 2 senses
- testudo(n = noun.artifact) Array - a movable protective covering that provided protection from above; used by Roman troops when approaching the walls of a besieged fortification; Array is a kind of protection, protective cover, protective covering
- testudo(n = noun.animal) genus testudo - type genus of the Testudinidae; Array is a kind of reptile genus
is a member of family testudinidae, testudinidae
CIDE DICTIONARY
Testudo, n. [L., from testa the shell of shellfish, or of testaceous animals.].
- A genus of tortoises which formerly included a large number of diverse forms, but is now restricted to certain terrestrial species, such as the European land tortoise (
Testudo Græca ) and the gopher of the Southern United States. [1913 Webster] - A cover or screen which a body of troops formed with their shields or targets, by holding them over their heads when standing close to each other. This cover resembled the back of a tortoise, and served to shelter the men from darts, stones, and other missiles. A similar defense was sometimes formed of boards, and moved on wheels. [1913 Webster]
- A kind of musical instrument. a species of lyre; -- so called in allusion to the lyre of Mercury, fabled to have been made of the shell of a tortoise. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Testudo, n. (pl. -os or testudines) Rom.Hist.
1 a screen formed by a body of troops in close array with overlapping shields.
2 a movable screen to protect besieging troops.
1 a screen formed by a body of troops in close array with overlapping shields.
2 a movable screen to protect besieging troops.
Etymology
L testudo -dinis, lit. 'tortoise' (as TEST(2))
For further exploring for "Testudo" in Webster Dictionary Online
