testudo

Everyday

1. (history) A testudo was a Roman army formation: soldiers stood close together and held their shields in front of them and over their heads, like a tortoise's shell, to protect themselves from arrows and stones. tree →
2. (science) Testudo is the scientific name of a group of tortoises, such as the Greek tortoise and Hermann's tortoise. tree →

In the lessons

History lessons on the Romans: the testudo («tortoise» in Latin) let legionaries move up to enemy walls safely; pupils sometimes act it out with cardboard shields. Science: many pet tortoises in the UK are from the genus Testudo.

Examples

• The legionaries formed a testudo to protect themselves. tree →
• In the testudo, the soldiers' shields made a roof. tree →
• Testudo is Latin for tortoise. tree →
• Our class made a testudo with cardboard shields. tree →
• The arrows bounced off the testudo. tree →
• Hermann's tortoise belongs to the genus Testudo. tree →

Note

Said «tes-TOO-doh». Latin word. Plural: testudos (or the Latin testudines). The science name is written with a capital T and in italics: Testudo.