box turtle
Share:
Tweet n. 1. Any of several chiefly terrestrial turtles of the genus Terrapene of North America, having a domed carapace and a hinged bottom shell that pulls up against the carapace, allowing the animal to become completely encased within its shell. 2. Any of various terrestrial or aquatic turtles of the genera Cuora and Pyxidea of China and Southeast Asia, having a similar appearance to American box turtles. In both senses also called box tortoise. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.