turtling

1. uncountableThe hunting of turtles (the reptiles).
2. uncountablenauticalTurning turtle.
3. figurativelyuncountableAny slow progression or build-up.
4. uncountablecard gamesA defensive strategy of avoiding conflict, by maintaining strong defense and little to no offense, while remaining in a fixed position.

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of turtle

plural turtlings

1. A baby turtle.

   The turtle-lings, kept in safety until they are three months old, are then released into the wild.

   1997, Sportdiving, volumes 59-64, page 94

   2 more examples

   Drowsy with dawn, barely asail, Buzzes the blue-bottle over the shale, Scared from the pool by the leaping trout; And the brood of turtlings clamber out On the log by their oozy house.

   1912, William Vaughn Moody, The poems and plays of William Vaughn Moody

   Fifty days later, more or less, the little turtlings hatch, dig their way up through the sand, and make a mad scramble to the sea.

   2012, Alexandra de Vries, Shawn Blore, Frommer's Brazil

   Synonyms: turtlet