testaceous

[ te-stey-shuhs ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from shells.
2. having a test or shell-like covering.
3. of a brick-red, brownish-red, or brownish-yellow color.

testaceous

/ tɛˈsteɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or possessing a test or testa
2. of the reddish-brown colour of terra cotta

Word History and Origins

Origin of testaceous¹

1640–50; < Latin testāceus shell-covered, equivalent to test ( a ) ( test ² ) + -āceus -aceous

Word History and Origins

Origin of testaceous¹

C17: from Latin testācens, from testa

Example Sentences

English conchologists appear not to be aware of the vast number of testaceous animals which are now known.

From Project Gutenberg

T. Wings angulated; anterior testaceous, with lineated brown shades and oblique lines; posterior yellow, with a broad black border.

From Project Gutenberg

Notwithstanding all these absurdities, it is undoubtedly true that certain articles of food have been considered as endowed with aphrodisiac properties; fish of various kinds, the mollusca and testaceous animals more especially.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet, whatever our island may have formerly produced, we discern no traces in later ages, of any testaceous animal yielding a purple or scarlet dye.

From Project Gutenberg

One of these, then, was situated just outside the orangery; with groups of testaceous rocks forming a half-circle around its edge; and draped with the dark foliage of evergreen trees, of the species already mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg