What is "box tortoise"

Tortoise \Tor"toise\, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, 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 guttatus or Nanemys guttatus) 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 Aglais Milberti, and Aglais 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)

   1. An axle box, journal box, journal bearing, or bushing.

   2. 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)

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