Testudo (Noun)
Meaning 1
A movable protective covering that provided protection from above; used by Roman troops when approaching the walls of a besieged fortification.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The Roman legionnaires formed a testudo to shield themselves from the hail of arrows and rocks as they approached the city gates.
- As the enemy catapults launched their deadly projectiles, the soldiers huddled together under the safety of their testudo.
- The testudo proved to be an effective tactic, allowing the Roman troops to breach the walls of the fortress without suffering heavy casualties.
- Under the cover of their testudo, the soldiers were able to get close enough to the walls to start digging a tunnel.
- The testudo was a crucial part of the Roman siege engine, providing protection for the soldiers as they worked to undermine the enemy's defenses.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Type genus of the Testudinidae.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The genus Testudo comprises several species of terrestrial tortoises native to Africa and Eurasia.
- The spur-thighed tortoise is a species of tortoise in the genus Testudo.
- In the wild, tortoises of the genus Testudo can live up to 80 years.
- Testudo graeca is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae found in southern Europe and parts of North Africa.
- Tortoises in the genus Testudo have a domed shell that provides protection from predators.