The word "turtle" is spelled T-U-R-T-L-E in English. The pronunciation of this word is /ˈtɜːrtəl/ according to IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "tur" is pronounced with a short "u" sound followed by a "r." The second syllable "tle" is pronounced with a long "e" sound. The combination of the letters "u" and "r" in the first syllable makes the distinctive "turtle" sound. This word refers to a shelled reptile that lives in or near water, and is commonly found in many parts of the world.
A turtle is a reptile characterized by its protective, bony shell that encases its body. It belongs to the order Testudines and encompasses various species that reside in oceans, rivers, and land. Typically, turtles feature a sturdy, rounded shell formed by an upper part called the carapace and a lower part known as the plastron. The carapace shields the turtle's back while the plastron safeguards its belly. These shells are fused to the turtle's spine and ribs and provide vital protection against predators.
Turtles are recognized for their unique anatomy, with their bodies adapted for life both in and out of the water. They possess webbed feet or flippers, enabling them to swim effortlessly. While aquatic turtles have streamlined bodies and powerful limbs, terrestrial turtles boast stronger limbs, facilitating their movement on land. Additionally, turtles possess a beak-like, toothless mouth, and eyes with a protective, transparent membrane.
Furthermore, turtles exhibit varied diets depending on their habitat and species. Some consume vegetation and insects, while others are omnivorous or carnivorous. They are known for their longevity, with certain species capable of living for several decades or even over a century.
Due to their fascinating appearance and nature, turtles are often kept as pets or studied for scientific research. They are also a prominent symbol in many cultures, representing longevity, wisdom, and perseverance.
The turtle-dove, a species of pigeon noted for the constancy of its affection; the large edible sea-tortoise-called also the green turtle-a name arbitrarily applied to the creature by the Eng. sailors, perhaps fromtheir affection in pairing-time.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "turtle" has a complex etymology with different origins depending on its usage.
As a general term for the reptile, "turtle" is derived from the English word "tortoise", which can be traced back to the Middle English word "tortu", meaning "a turtle" or "tortoise". This Middle English term ultimately comes from the Anglo-Norman French word "tortuse" and the Old French word "tortue", which both referred to a turtle or tortoise.
However, when it comes to the usage of "turtle" specifically for certain species, such as sea turtles or terrapins, the etymology varies:
1. For sea turtles: The word "turtle" in this context is of unknown origin.