1550s, altered (perhaps by influence of porpoise) from Middle English tortuse (late 15c.), tortuce (mid-15c.), tortuge (late 14c.), from Medieval Latin tortuca (mid-13c.), perhaps from Late Latin tartaruchus "of the underworld" (see Tartarus). Others propose a source in Latin tortus "twisted," based on the shape of the feet. The classical Latin word was testudo, from testa "shell." First record of tortoise shell as a pattern of markings is from 1782.
实用例句
1. The tortoise wins the race while the hare is sleeping.
兔子正睡觉时,乌龟赢得了比赛.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. Tortoise and Snake Hills face each other across the river.
龟蛇二山隔江相望.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. The tortoise crept along at an agonizingly slow speed.
乌龟以极其缓慢的速度爬行着.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
4. The elephant dwarfed the tortoise.
那只乌龟跟那头象相比就显得很小.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. The tortoise spends the winter months in hibernation.