noun

tortoise

tortoise

The tortoise moved slowly across the grass.

The tortoise moved slowly across the grass.

A tortoise can live for a very long time.

A tortoise can live for a very long time.

((a tortoise)) a land reptile with a hard shell We saw a giant tortoise at the zoo.

Synonyms: turtle (often refers to sea-dwelling ones)

From Old French 'tortue', from Late Latin 'tartaruchus', possibly from Greek 'Tartaros' (the underworld), due to the animal's association with the earth.

Think of the famous fable 'The Tortoise and the Hare' to remember its slow nature.

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