Tortoise \Tor"toise\, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked,
fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere,
tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca,
tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called
in allusion to its crooked feet. See Torture.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of reptiles of the
order Testudinata.
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Note: The term is applied especially to the land and
fresh-water species, while the marine species are
generally called turtles, but the terms tortoise and
turtle are used synonymously by many writers. See
Testudinata, Terrapin, and Turtle.
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2. (Rom. Antiq.) Same as Testudo, 2.
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Box tortoise, Land tortoise, etc. See under Box,
Land, etc.
Painted tortoise. (Zool.) See Painted turtle, under
Painted.
Soft-shell tortoise. (Zool.) See Trionyx.
Spotted tortoise. (Zool.) A small American fresh-water
tortoise (Chelopus guttatus or Nanemys guttatus)
having a blackish carapace on which are scattered round
yellow spots.
Tortoise beetle (Zool.), any one of numerous species of
small tortoise-shaped beetles. Many of them have a
brilliant metallic luster. The larvae feed upon the leaves
of various plants, and protect themselves beneath a mass
of dried excrement held over the back by means of the
caudal spines. The golden tortoise beetle (Cassida
aurichalcea) is found on the morning-glory vine and
allied plants.
Tortoise plant. (Bot.) See Elephant's foot, under
Elephant.
Tortoise shell, the substance of the shell or horny plates
of several species of sea turtles, especially of the
hawkbill turtle. It is used in inlaying and in the
manufacture of various ornamental articles.
Tortoise-shell butterfly (Zool.), any one of several
species of handsomely colored butterflies of the genus
Aglais, as Aglais Milberti, and Aglais urticae, both
of which, in the larva state, feed upon nettles.
Tortoise-shell turtle (Zool.), the hawkbill turtle. See
Hawkbill.
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Box \Box\, n.; pl. Boxes [As. box a small case or vessel with
a cover; akin to OHG. buhsa box, G. b["u]chse; fr. L. buxus
boxwood, anything made of boxwood. See Pyx, and cf. Box a
tree, Bushel.]
1. A receptacle or case of any firm material and of various
shapes.
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2. The quantity that a box contain.
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3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or
other place of public amusement.
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Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage.
--Dorset.
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The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges.
--Dryden.
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4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a
poor box; a contribution box.
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Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks,
Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J.
Warton.
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5. A small country house. "A shooting box." --Wilson.
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Tight boxes neatly sashed. --Cowper.
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6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box.
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7. (Mach)
(a) An axle box, journal box, journal bearing, or bushing.
(b) A chamber or section of tube in which a valve works;
the bucket of a lifting pump.
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8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach.
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9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or
gift. "A Christmas box." --Dickens.
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10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands.
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11. (Zool.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue.
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Note: Box is much used adjectively or in composition; as box
lid, box maker, box circle, etc.; also with modifying
substantives; as money box, letter box, bandbox, hatbox
or hat box, snuff box or snuffbox.
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Box beam (Arch.), a beam made of metal plates so as to have
the form of a long box.
Box car (Railroads), a freight car covered with a roof and
inclosed on the sides to protect its contents.
Box chronometer, a ship's chronometer, mounted in gimbals,
to preserve its proper position.
Box coat, a thick overcoat for driving; sometimes with a
heavy cape to carry off the rain.
Box coupling, a metal collar uniting the ends of shafts or
other parts in machinery.
Box crab (Zool.), a crab of the genus Calappa, which,
when at rest with the legs retracted, resembles a box.
Box drain (Arch.), a drain constructed with upright sides,
and with flat top and bottom.
Box girder (Arch.), a box beam.
Box groove (Metal Working), a closed groove between two
rolls, formed by a collar on one roll fitting between
collars on another. --R. W. Raymond.
Box metal, an alloy of copper and tin, or of zinc, lead,
and antimony, for the bearings of journals, etc.
Box plait, a plait that doubles both to the right and the
left.
Box turtle or
Box tortoise (Zool.), a land tortoise or turtle of the
genera Cistudo and Emys; -- so named because it can
withdraw entirely within its shell, which can be closed by
hinged joints in the lower shell. Also, humorously, an
exceedingly reticent person. --Emerson.
In a box, in a perplexity or an embarrassing position; in
difficulty. (Colloq.)
In the wrong box, out of one's place; out of one's element;
awkwardly situated. (Colloq.) --Ridley (1554)
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