TURTLING
Etymology 1
Noun
turtling (uncountable)
The hunting of turtles (the reptiles).
(nautical) Turning turtle.
(figuratively) Any slow progression or build-up.
(games (board, card, and computer)) A defensive strategy of avoiding conflict, usually in a fixed position.
Verb
turtling
present participle of turtle
Etymology 2
Noun
turtling (plural turtlings)
A baby turtle.
Anagrams
• ruttling
Source: Wiktionary
Tur"tling, n.
Definition: The act, practice, or art of catching turtles. Marryat.
TURTLE
Tur"tle, n. Etym: [AS. turtle, L. turtur; probably of imitative
origin. Cf. Turtle the sea tortoise.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: The turtledove.
Tur"tle, n. Etym: [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.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Definition: Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a
sea turtle, or chelonian.
Note: In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises are
also called turtles.
2. (Printing)
Definition: The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving
cylinder press. Alligator turtle, Box turtle, etc. See under
Alligator, Box, etc.
– green turtle (Zoöl.), 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 (C.
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 (Zoöl.), a large, handsome cowrie (Cypræa
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition