tortoiseshell

[ tawr-tuhs-shel ]

noun

1. a horny substance of a mottled brown and yellow coloration, composing the laminae that cover the inner body plates of the carapace of certain tortoises or turtles, especially the hawksbill, used for making combs and ornamental articles, inlaying, etc.
2. any synthetic substance made to look like natural tortoiseshell.
3. Also tortoiseshell butterfly. any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, as N. californica, having variegated markings of red, yellow, or orange on the wings.

adjective

1. mottled or variegated like tortoiseshell, especially with yellow and brown and sometimes other colors.
2. made of tortoiseshell.

tortoiseshell

/ ˈtɔːtəsˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a horny translucent yellow-and-brown mottled substance obtained from the outer layer of the shell of the hawksbill turtle: used for making ornaments, jewellery, etc
2. a similar synthetic substance, esp plastic or celluloid, now more widely used than the natural product
3. a breed of domestic cat, usually female, having black, cream, and brownish markings
4. any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, and related genera, having orange-brown wings with black markings
5. tortoiseshell turtle
   another name for hawksbill turtle
6. 1. a yellowish-brown mottled colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a tortoiseshell décor

7. modifier made of tortoiseshell

   a tortoiseshell comb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tortoiseshell¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; tortoise + shell

Example Sentences

Butterfly Conservation said it was the worst year recorded for the common blue, holly blue, green-veined white, small white, small tortoiseshell, painted lady and Scotch argus.

From BBC

He wore tortoiseshell glasses, a blue cardigan and hair cut for maximum pensive tucking behind ears.

From New York Times

Ms. July, a writer, filmmaker and artist whose work plays with the boundaries of intimacy, was wearing round tortoiseshell sunglasses, and her hair was pulled back in a velvet bow.

From New York Times

Her skin was dark brown and her hair was in a tortoiseshell clip.

From Literature

Tiger, an eight-year-old tortoiseshell, is thought to have been eating the elastic bands for months at her home in Malton, North Yorkshire.

From BBC