tortoise etymology

Etymology

The word "tortoise" is derived from the Old French word "tortoise," which in turn comes from the Latin word "tartaruchus" or "tartaruga," meaning "slow-moving reptile."

Meaning

A tortoise is a reptile that has a hard shell that covers its body. Tortoises are generally slow-moving and have long lifespans. Some species of tortoises are terrestrial, while others are aquatic.

Origin

Tortoises are thought to have evolved from turtles around 250 million years ago. The earliest known tortoise fossils were found in North America. Tortoises are found on all continents except Antarctica.

tortoise relate terms

  • Tartarus

    Etymology Tartarus derives from the Greek word Τάρταρος Tartaros Meaning an

  • Hades

    Etymology The name Hades derives from the Greek word Haides which originally meant th

  • turtle

    Etymology The word turtle comes from the Old French word tortue which is derived fro

  • turtle

    Etymology The word turtle comes from the Old French word tortue which is derived fro

  • tort

    Etymology The word tort derives from the Old French word tort meaning wrong or i

  • tortoise

    Etymology The word tortoise is derived from the Old French word tortoise which in tu

  • paddock

    Etymology The word paddock comes from the Middle English word parkoc which means e

  • tete

    Etymology The word tete has an uncertain etymology However there are several theorie

  • lucubration

    Etymology Latin lucubratio meaning night work study by lamplight From lux mea

  • shell

    Etymology The word shell comes from the Old Norse word skjel meaning husk or cov

  • gopher

    Etymology and Origin of the Word Gopher The term gopher has multiple origins and mean

  • porpoise

    Etymology The word porpoise is derived from the Old French word porpeis which in t

  • laconic

    Etymology From Ancient Greek λακωνικός lākōnikós meaning Laconic refe

  • symbiosis

    Etymology The term symbiosis is derived from the Greek words syn meaning together

  • abrupt

    Etymology From Latin abruptus participle of abrumpere meaning to break off or

  • Saxon

    Etymology Saxon is a term derived from the Old English word Seaxe which referred to th