Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tortoise \Tor"toise\, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked,
   fr. L. tortus isted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere,
   tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca,
   tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called
   in allusion to its crooked feet. See {Torture}.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of reptiles of the
      order Testudinata.

   Note: The term is applied especially to the land and
         fresh-water species, while the marine species are
         generally called turtles, but the terms tortoise and
         turtle are used synonymously by many writers. see
         {Testudinata}, {Terrapin}, and {Turtle}.

   2. (Rom. Antiq.) Same as {Testudo}, 2.

   {Box tortoise}, {Land tortoise}, etc. See under {Box},
      {Land}, etc.

   {Painted tortoise}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Painted turtle}, under
      {Painted}.

   {Soft-shell tortoise}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Trionyx}.

   {Spotted tortoise}. (Zo["o]l.) A small American fresh-water
      tortoise ({Chelopus, or Nanemys, quttatus}) having a
      blackish carapace on which are scattered round yellow
      spots.

   {Tortoise beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      small tortoise-shaped beetles. Many of them have a
      brilliant metallic luster. the larv[ae] feed upon the
      leaves of various plants, and protect themselves beneath a
      mass of dried excrement held over the back by means of the
      caudal spines. The golden tortoise beetle ({Cassida
      aurichalcea}) is found on the morning-glory vine and
      allied plants.

   {Tortoise plant}. (Bot.) See {Elephant's foot}, under
      {Elephant}.

   {Tortoise shell}, the substance of the shell or horny plates
      of several species of sea turtles, especially of the
      hawkbill turtle. It is used in inlaying and in the
      manufacture of various ornamental articles.

   {Tortoise-shell butterfly} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several
      species of handsomely colored butterflies of the genus
      {Aglais}, as {A. Milberti}, and {A. urtic[ae]}, both of
      which, in the larva state, feed upon nettles.

   {Tortoise-shell turtle} (Zo["o]l.), the hawkbill turtle. See
      {Hawkbill}.

Box \Box\, n.; pl. {Boxes} [As. box a small case or vessel with
   a cover; akin to OHG. buhsa box, G. b["u]chse; fr. L. buxus
   boxwood, anything made of boxwood. See {Pyx}, and cf. {Box} a
   tree, {Bushel}.]
   1. A receptacle or case of any firm material and of various
      shapes.

   2. The quantity that a box contain.

   3. A space with a few seats partitioned off in a theater, or
      other place of public amusement.

            Laughed at by the pit, box, galleries, nay, stage.
                                                  --Dorset.

            The boxes and the pit are sovereign judges.
                                                  --Dryden.

   4. A chest or any receptacle for the deposit of money; as, a
      poor box; a contribution box.

            Yet since his neighbors give, the churl unlocks,
            Damning the poor, his tripple-bolted box. --J.
                                                  Warton.

   5. A small country house. ``A shooting box.'' --Wilson.

            Tight boxes neatly sashed.            --Cowper.

   6. A boxlike shed for shelter; as, a sentry box.

   7. (Mach)
      (a) An axle box, journal box, journal bearing, or bushing.
      (b) A chamber or section of tube in which a valve works;
          the bucket of a lifting pump.

   8. The driver's seat on a carriage or coach.

   9. A present in a box; a present; esp. a Christmas box or
      gift. ``A Christmas box.'' --Dickens.

   10. (Baseball) The square in which the pitcher stands.

   11. (Zo["o]l.) A Mediterranean food fish; the bogue.

   Note: Box is much used adjectively or in composition; as box
         lid, box maker, box circle, etc.; also with modifying
         substantives; as money box, letter box, bandbox, hatbox
         or hat box, snuff box or snuffbox.

   {Box beam} (Arch.), a beam made of metal plates so as to have
      the form of a long box.

   {Box car} (Railroads), a freight car covered with a roof and
      inclosed on the sides to protect its contents.

   {Box chronometer}, a ship's chronometer, mounted in gimbals,
      to preserve its proper position.

   {Box coat}, a thick overcoat for driving; sometimes with a
      heavy cape to carry off the rain.

   {Box coupling}, a metal collar uniting the ends of shafts or
      other parts in machinery.

   {Box crab} (Zo["o]l.), a crab of the genus {Calappa}, which,
      when at rest with the legs retracted, resembles a box.

   {Box drain} (Arch.), a drain constructed with upright sides,
      and with flat top and bottom.

   {Box girder} (Arch.), a box beam.

   {Box groove} (Metal Working), a closed groove between two
      rolls, formed by a collar on one roll fitting between
      collars on another. --R. W. Raymond.

   {Box metal}, an alloy of copper and tin, or of zinc, lead,
      and antimony, for the bearings of journals, etc.

   {Box plait}, a plait that doubles both to the right and the
      left.

   {Box turtle} or

   {Box tortoise} (Zo["o]l.), a land tortoise or turtle of the
      genera {Cistudo} and {Emys}; -- so named because it can
      withdraw entirely within its shell, which can be closed by
      hinged joints in the lower shell. Also, humorously, an
      exceedingly reticent person. --Emerson.

   {In a box}, in a perplexity or an embarrassing position; in
      difficulty. (Colloq.)

   {In the wrong box}, out of one's place; out of one's element;
      awkwardly situated. (Colloq.) --Ridley (1554)

Source : WordNet®

box tortoise
     n : chiefly terrestrial turtle of North America; shell can be
         closed tightly [syn: {box turtle}]