turtle: Turtle the dove [OE] and turtle the marine reptile [17] are different words. The former was borrowed from Latin turtur, which no doubt originated in imitation of the bird’s cooing. It is now encountered only in the compound turtledove, first recorded in the 13th century. Turtle the reptile is more of a mystery. It is generally assumed to be an alteration of French tortue ‘tortoise’ (source of English tortoise [15]), but since it is not known where that came from, it does not get us much further.
The expression turn turtle (which dates from the 19th century) alludes to the practice of sailors turning turtles over on to their backs, like beetles, so that they were helpless and could be easily captured. => tortoise
turtle (n.1)
"tortoise," c. 1600, originally "marine tortoise," from French tortue, tortre (13c.) "turtle, tortoise" (often associated with diabolical beasts), of unknown origin. The English word perhaps is a sailors' mauling of the French one, influenced by the similar sounding turtle (n.2). Later extended to land tortoises; sea-turtle is attested from 1610s.
turtle (n.2)
"turtledove," Old English turtle, dissimilation of Latin turtur "turtledove," a reduplicated form imitative of the bird's coo. Graceful, harmonious and affectionate to its mate, hence a term of endearment in Middle English. Turtle-dove is attested from c. 1300.
双语例句
1. The spill could wipe out the Gulf's turtle population.
这次原油泄漏可能会使波斯湾的海龟灭绝。
来自柯林斯例句
2. A turtle in a jar is certainly caught within the reach.
瓮中之鳖,手到拿来.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. The tug nearly turned turtle twice, but I managed to keep her upright.
拖船两次都差点翻个儿，但我设法稳住了船身。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The turtle hibernates in a shallow burrow for six months of the year.
海龟一年在一个浅洞中冬眠六个月.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. If you turn over a turtle on its back, it will become helpless.
