tortoiseshell

/ˌtɔrdə(s)ˈʃɛl/

Other forms: tortoiseshells

Definitions of tortoiseshell

1. noun

   the mottled horny substance of the shell of some turtles
   type of:

   horn

   the material (mostly keratin) that covers the horns of ungulates and forms hooves and claws and nails
2. noun

   a cat having black and cream-colored and yellowish markings
   synonyms: calico cat, tortoiseshell-cat

   type of:

   Felis catus, Felis domesticus, domestic cat, house cat

   any domesticated member of the genus Felis
3. noun

   brilliantly colored; larvae feed on nettles
   synonyms: tortoiseshell butterfly

   type of:

   brush-footed butterfly, four-footed butterfly, nymphalid, nymphalid butterfly

   medium to large butterflies found worldwide typically having brightly colored wings and much-reduced nonfunctional forelegs carried folded on the breast