What does testudo mean?
Definitions for testudo
tɛˈstu doʊ, -ˈstyu-; tɛˈstud nˌiz, -ˈstyud-tes·tu·do
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word testudo.
Princeton's WordNet
testudonoun
a movable protective covering that provided protection from above; used by Roman troops when approaching the walls of a besieged fortification
Testudo, genus Testudonoun
type genus of the Testudinidae
ChatGPT
testudo
Testudo is a term originated from Latin which means "tortoise". In historical context, it refers to a protective shield formation used in ancient warfare by Roman legions. The soldiers arranged their shields to form a packed formation covered with shields on the front and top, resembling the shell of a tortoise. This formation was used for protection against enemy projectiles. In zoological terms, Testudo is also a genus of tortoises.
Webster Dictionary
Testudonoun
a genus of tortoises which formerly included a large number of diverse forms, but is now restricted to certain terrestrial species, such as the European land tortoise (Testudo Graeca) and the gopher of the Southern United States
Testudonoun
a cover or screen which a body of troops formed with their shields or targets, by holding them over their heads when standing close to each other. This cover resembled the back of a tortoise, and served to shelter the men from darts, stones, and other missiles. A similar defense was sometimes formed of boards, and moved on wheels
Testudonoun
a kind of musical instrument. a species of lyre; -- so called in allusion to the lyre of Mercury, fabled to have been made of the shell of a tortoise
Wikidata
Testudo
Testudo is a genus of tortoises found in North Africa, western Asia, and Europe. Several species are under threat in the wild, mainly from habitat destruction. They are small tortoises, ranging in length from 7 cm to 35 cm and in weight from 0.7 kg to 7 kg, although the extinct T. atlas reached 2.5 m. Like most tortoises, they are herbivorous.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia
Testudo
in ancient Roman warfare a covering of the shields of the soldiers held over their heads as protection against missiles thrown from the walls when besieging a city.
Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
testudo
(Testude). In ancient warfare, was a defensive arrangement of the shields, by means of which a body of men advancing against a wall for assault or mining, sought to protect themselves from the darts and weapons of the defenders. The men standing in close order, joined their shields above their heads, the edges overlapping, until the whole resembled the shell of a tortoise (testudo). The name was also applied to a machine moving on wheels, and roofed over, under which soldiers worked in undermining or otherwise destroying the walls in a siege.
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of testudo in Chaldean Numerology is: 6
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of testudo in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5
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Translations for testudo
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- testudoSpanish
- testudoHungarian
- testudoItalian
- TestudoPortuguese
- testudoVietnamese
- 陆龟Chinese
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"testudo." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 17 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/testudo>.
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