tortoiseshell

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles
  2. noun brilliantly colored; larvae feed on nettles
  3. noun a cat having black and cream-colored and yellowish markings

Etymology

From tortoise + shell.

In classic literature

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