testūdo, ĭnis, f. [testa], a tortoise.
I Lit., Pac. ap. Cic. Div. 2, 64, 133; Plin. 9, 10, 12, § 35; 32, 4, 14, § 32; Cic. N. D. 2, 48, 124; 2, 52, 129; Liv. 36, 32, 6; Sen. Ep. 121, 9; Phaedr. 2, 6, 5 al.—Prov.: testudo volat, of any thing impossible, Claud. in Eutr. 1, 352.—
II Transf., tortoise-shell.
A Used for overlaying or veneering, Cic. N. D. 2, 57, 144; Verg. G. 2, 463; Ov. M. 2, 737; Mart. 12, 66, 5; Luc. 10, 120; Juv. 14, 308. —
B From the arched shape of a tortoise-shell.
1 Of any stringed instrument of music of an arched shape, a lyre , lute , cithern , Verg. G. 4, 464; Hor. C. 3, 11, 3; 4, 3, 17; id. Epod. 14, 11; id. A. P. 395; Val. Fl. 1, 187; 1, 277. —
2 An arch , vault in buildings (syn.: fornix, camera), Varr. L. L. 5, §§ 79 and 161 Müll.; id. R. R. 3, 5, 1; 3, 6, 4; Cic. Brut. 22, 87; Sisenn. ap. Non. 58, 16; Verg. A. 1, 505. —
3 In milit. lang., a tortoise , i. e. a covering , shed , shelter so called (cf.: vinea, pluteus), viz.,
a Made of wood, for the protection of besiegers, Caes. B. G. 5, 43; 5, 52; Vitr. 10, 19 sq. —
b Formed of the shields of the soldiers held over their heads, Liv. 34, 39, 6; 44, 9, 6; Caes. B. G. 2, 6; Tac. A. 13, 39; id. H. 3, 31; 3, 27; 4, 23; Verg. A. 9, 505; 9, 514 al. —
4 The covering of the hedgehog , Mart. 13, 86, 1. —
5 A head-dress in imitation of a lyre, Ov. A. A. 3, 147.