box turtle

3 definitions found

box turtle - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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.]
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     1. (Zool.) Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata,
        especially a sea turtle, or chelonian.
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     Note: In the United States the land and fresh-water tortoises
           are also called turtles.
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     2. (Printing) The curved plate in which the form is held in a
        type-revolving cylinder press.
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     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.
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  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.
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     2. The quantity that a box contain.
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     3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or
        other place of public amusement.
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              Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage.
                                                    --Dorset.
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              The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges.
                                                    --Dryden.
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     4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a
        poor box; a contribution box.
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              Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks,
              Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J.
                                                    Warton.
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     5. A small country house. "A shooting box." --Wilson.
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              Tight boxes neatly sashed.            --Cowper.
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     6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box.
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     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.
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     8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach.
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     9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or
        gift. "A Christmas box." --Dickens.
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     10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands.
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     11. (Zool.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue.
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     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.
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     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)
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box turtle - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  box turtle
      n 1: chiefly terrestrial turtle of North America; shell can be
           closed tightly [syn: box turtle, box tortoise]