tortoiseshell

plural tortoiseshells

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

   Other common farmland butterflies to have suffered steep declines include the small tortoiseshell (64%), the wall brown (37%) and the large skipper (35%).

   2015 November 24, Patrick Barkham, “Pesticide may be reason butterfly numbers are falling in UK, says study”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 05 Mar 2016

5. abbreviationclippinguncountableusuallyClipping of tortoiseshell cat.

   Tigerclaw’s eyes flashed at the little tortoiseshell’s words. “I wouldn’t dare argue with you, dear Spottedleaf,” he purred. He turned to leave and caught sight of Graypaw and Firepaw. “Who’s this?” he asked Graypaw, towering above them.

   2003, Erin Hunter [pseudonym; The Erin Hunter Team], Warriors: Into the Wild

1. not comparableMade of the covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.
2. not comparableHaving markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.

   Speaking of round sunglasses, these lightweight polarized ones and come in two shades of tortoiseshell as well as black and bronze.

   2023 June 26, Lauren Caruso and Jillian Tracy, “The 22 best sunglasses for summer, according to style experts”, in CNN, archived from the original on 14 Apr 2025