turtle

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar
  2. noun any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming
  3. verb overturn accidentally

Etymology

Modification of Middle English tortou, tortu, from Old French tortüe (under the influence of Middle English turtel, turtur (“turtledove”), see Etymology 2 below), from Medieval Latin tortuca (compare Spanish tortuga), the same source of tortoise (see there for more). Displaced native Old English byrdling (See birdling).

In classic literature

Synonyms

turtleneck, polo-neck

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