turn turtle

turn tur·tle

T t

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [turn tur-tl]
- /tɜrn ˈtɜr tl/
- /tɜːn ˈtɜː.tl̩/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [turn tur-tl]
- /tɜrn ˈtɜr tl/

Definitions of turn turtle words

noun plural turn turtle any reptile of the order Testudines, comprising aquatic and terrestrial species having the trunk enclosed in a shell consisting of a dorsal carapace and a ventral plastron. 1
noun plural turn turtle (not used technically) an aquatic turtle as distinguished from a terrestrial one. Compare tortoise (def 1). 1
verb without object turn turtle to catch turtles, especially as a business. 1
idioms turn turtle turn turtle, Nautical. to capsize or turn over completely in foundering. to overturn; upset: Several of the cars turned turtle in the course of the race. 1
verbal expression turn turtle be turned upside down 1
phrase turn turtle If a boat turns turtle, it turns upside down when it is in the water. 0

See all 8 definitions of turn turtle

Information block about the term

Origin of turn turtle

First appearance:

before 1625

One of the 42% oldest English words

1625-35; alteration (influenced by turtle2) of French tortue < Medieval Latin tortūca tortoise

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Turn turtle

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Turn turtle

turn turtle popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 95% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

turn turtle usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for turn turtle

verb turn turtle

capsize — If you capsize a boat or if it capsizes, it turns upside down in the water.

Just one Synonym for turn turtle