tortoiseshell

tortoise +‎ shell.

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɔː(ɹ)tə.ˌʃɛl/
• IPA^(key): /ˈtɔː(ɹ)təs.ˌʃɛl/

tortoiseshell (usually uncountable, plural tortoiseshells)

1. The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.
2. The hawksbill turtle.
3. A domestic cat (or a rabbit, guinea-pig, etc.) whose fur has black, brown and yellow markings.
4. Any of several butterflies, mostly of the genera Nymphalis and Aglais that have similar markings.

• (cat etc.): tort (colloquial), tortie (colloquial)

tortoiseshell (not comparable)

1. Made of the covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
2. Having markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.

• tortoiseshell cat