'Box turtle' definitions:

Definition of 'box turtle'

From: WordNet
noun
Chiefly terrestrial turtle of North America; shell can be closed tightly [syn: box turtle, box tortoise]

Definition of 'Box turtle'

From: GCIDE
  • Turtle \Tur"tle\, n. [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.] [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. (Zool.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a sea turtle, or chelonian. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises are also called turtles. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Printing) The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press. [1913 Webster]
  • Alligator turtle, Box turtle, etc. See under Alligator, Box, etc.
  • green turtle (Zool.), 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 (Chelonia 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 (Zool.), a large, handsome cowrie ({Cypraea 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Box turtle'

From: GCIDE
  • Box \Box\, n.; pl. Boxes [As. box a small case or vessel with a cover; akin to OHG. buhsa box, G. b["u]chse; fr. L. buxus boxwood, anything made of boxwood. See Pyx, and cf. Box a tree, Bushel.]
  • 1. A receptacle or case of any firm material and of various shapes. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The quantity that a box contain. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or other place of public amusement. [1913 Webster]
  • Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage. --Dorset. [1913 Webster]
  • The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a poor box; a contribution box. [1913 Webster]
  • Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks, Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J. Warton. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A small country house. "A shooting box." --Wilson. [1913 Webster]
  • Tight boxes neatly sashed. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. (Mach) (a) An axle box, journal box, journal bearing, or bushing. (b) A chamber or section of tube in which a valve works; the bucket of a lifting pump. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach. [1913 Webster]
  • 9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or gift. "A Christmas box." --Dickens. [1913 Webster]
  • 10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands. [1913 Webster]
  • 11. (Zool.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Box is much used adjectively or in composition; as box lid, box maker, box circle, etc.; also with modifying substantives; as money box, letter box, bandbox, hatbox or hat box, snuff box or snuffbox. [1913 Webster]
  • Box beam (Arch.), a beam made of metal plates so as to have the form of a long box.
  • Box car (Railroads), a freight car covered with a roof and inclosed on the sides to protect its contents.
  • Box chronometer, a ship's chronometer, mounted in gimbals, to preserve its proper position.
  • Box coat, a thick overcoat for driving; sometimes with a heavy cape to carry off the rain.
  • Box coupling, a metal collar uniting the ends of shafts or other parts in machinery.
  • Box crab (Zool.), a crab of the genus Calappa, which, when at rest with the legs retracted, resembles a box.
  • Box drain (Arch.), a drain constructed with upright sides, and with flat top and bottom.
  • Box girder (Arch.), a box beam.
  • Box groove (Metal Working), a closed groove between two rolls, formed by a collar on one roll fitting between collars on another. --R. W. Raymond.
  • Box metal, an alloy of copper and tin, or of zinc, lead, and antimony, for the bearings of journals, etc.
  • Box plait, a plait that doubles both to the right and the left.
  • Box turtle or
  • Box tortoise (Zool.), a land tortoise or turtle of the genera Cistudo and Emys; -- so named because it can withdraw entirely within its shell, which can be closed by hinged joints in the lower shell. Also, humorously, an exceedingly reticent person. --Emerson.
  • In a box, in a perplexity or an embarrassing position; in difficulty. (Colloq.)
  • In the wrong box, out of one's place; out of one's element; awkwardly situated. (Colloq.) --Ridley (1554) [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Box turtle'