chelonian

/kəˈloʊniən/

Other forms: chelonians

The adjective chelonian describes turtles and tortoises.

Chelonian, from the Greek chelōnē, "tortoise," is most often used by scientists to specify the biological order that includes all turtles. The main non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and study of tortoises and turtles is called the Chelonian Research Foundation. If you want to sound extra fancy, try describing your pet turtle as your chelonian companion.

Definitions of chelonian

1. adjective

   of or relating to or resembling or being a turtle or tortoise
2. noun

   a reptile of the order Chelonia
   synonyms: chelonian reptile

   types:

   turtle

   any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming

   marine turtle, sea turtle

   any of various large turtles with limbs modified into flippers; widely distributed in warm seas

   snapping turtle

   large aggressive freshwater turtle with powerful jaws

   mud turtle

   bottom-dwelling freshwater turtle inhabiting muddy rivers of North America and Central America

   terrapin

   any of various edible North American web-footed turtles living in fresh or brackish water

   Pseudemys rubriventris, red-bellied terrapin, red-bellied turtle, redbelly

   freshwater turtle of Chesapeake Bay tributaries having red markings on the lower shell

   Pseudemys scripta, slider, yellow-bellied terrapin

   freshwater turtle of United States and South America; frequently raised commercially; some young sold as pets

   Pseudemys concinna, cooter, river cooter

   large river turtle of the southern United States and northern Mexico

   box tortoise, box turtle

   chiefly terrestrial turtle of North America; shell can be closed tightly

   Chrysemys picta, painted terrapin, painted tortoise, painted turtle

   freshwater turtles having bright yellow and red markings; common in the eastern United States

   tortoise

   usually herbivorous land turtles having clawed elephant-like limbs; worldwide in arid area except Australia and Antarctica

   pancake turtle, soft-shelled turtle

   voracious aquatic turtle with a flat flexible shell covered by a leathery skin; can inflict painful bites

   type of:

   anapsid, anapsid reptile

   primitive reptile having no opening in the temporal region of the skull; all extinct except turtles