Turtle \Tur"tle\, n. [Probably the same word as the word
preceding, and substituted (probably by sailors) for the
Spanish or Portuguese name; cf. Sp. tortuga tortoise, turtle,
Pg. tartaruga, also F. tortue, and E. tortoise.]
[1913 Webster]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata,
especially a sea turtle, or chelonian.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises
are also called turtles.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Printing) The curved plate in which the form is held in a
type-revolving cylinder press.
[1913 Webster]
Alligator turtle, Box turtle, etc. See under Alligator,
Box, etc.
green turtle (Zool.), a marine turtle of the genus
Chelonia, having usually a smooth greenish or
olive-colored shell. It is highly valued for the delicacy
of its flesh, which is used especially for turtle soup.
Two distinct species or varieties are known; one of which
(Chelonia Midas) inhabits the warm part of the Atlantic
Ocean, and sometimes weighs eight hundred pounds or more;
the other (Chelonia virgata) inhabits the Pacific Ocean.
Both species are similar in habits and feed principally on
seaweed and other marine plants, especially the turtle
grass.
Turtle cowrie (Zool.), a large, handsome cowrie (Cypraea
testudinaria); the turtle-shell; so called because of its
fancied resemblance to a tortoise in color and form.
Turtle grass (Bot.), a marine plant (Thalassia
testudinum) with grasslike leaves, common about the West
Indies.
Turtle shell, tortoise shell. See under Tortoise.
[1913 Webster]
|
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. The quantity that a box contain.
[1913 Webster]
3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or
other place of public amusement.
[1913 Webster]
Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage.
--Dorset.
[1913 Webster]
The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a
poor box; a contribution box.
[1913 Webster]
Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks,
Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J.
Warton.
[1913 Webster]
5. A small country house. "A shooting box." --Wilson.
[1913 Webster]
Tight boxes neatly sashed. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach.
[1913 Webster]
9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or
gift. "A Christmas box." --Dickens.
[1913 Webster]
10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands.
[1913 Webster]
11. (Zool.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
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)
[1913 Webster]
|