chelonia Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun green turtles
    genus Chelonia.
  2. noun tortoises and turtles
    Testudinata; order Testudinata; order Chelonia; order Testudines; Testudines.

WordNet

Che*lo"ni*a noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. a tortoise.
Wordforms
plural
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) An order of reptiles, including the tortoises and turtles, perculiar in having a part of the vertebræ, ribs, and sternum united with the dermal plates so as to form a firm shell. The jaws are covered by a horny beak. See Reptilia; also, Illust. in Appendix.

Webster 1913