Meaning & Definition of word "Tortoise"

Tortoise

/ˈtɔːtəʊs/

1. A slow-moving land reptile of the family Testudinidae, characterized by a bony shell, which protects its body.
- Example: The tortoise slowly made its way across the sunlit pathway.
2. A person who is slow or deliberate in action or movement.
- Example: Despite his friends being quick to make decisions, he was always the tortoise, taking his time to think things through.
3. A term used to describe a type of defensive strategy in games or competitions, particularly in chess.
- Example: She adopted a tortoise approach in the chess game, prioritizing defense over aggression.

●Middle English tortoise, from Old French tortue, from Latin testudo.

slow as a tortoise:

Refers to someone who moves very slowly.

tortoise and hare:

A reference to a fable about slow but steady winning against haste.

turtle:

A water-dwelling reptile with a similar shell structure.

reptile:

A class of animals that includes tortoises, snakes, and lizards.

Meaning: A person who is very slow in their actions.

● Example Sentence: He's such a tortoise when it comes to finishing projects.

Meaning: Used to describe a vehicle or machine that is very slow.

● Example Sentence: That old car is a real tortoise on the highway!