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Testudines

Definition of Testudines

noun

Zoology
  • an order of reptiles which comprises the turtles, terrapins, and tortoises. They are distinguished by having a shell of bony plates covered with horny scales, and many kinds are aquatic. Also called Chelonia.

Origin:

modern Latin (plural), based on Latin testa 'shell'

Testudines in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of Testudines in the US English dictionary
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