turtledom

turtledom

English

Etymology

turtle +‎ -dom

Noun

turtledom (uncountable)

1. The state of being a turtle, or of belonging to the world of turtles; turtles, collectively.
   • 1854, Henry David Thoreau, "A Newly Hatched Turtle", in Bradford Torrey, ed, The Writings of Henry David Thoreau: Journal (1906), page 33:

     It does not so much impress me as an infantile beginning of life as an epitome of all the past of turtledom and of the earth.

   • 1996, Richard D. Bartlett, Patricia Pope Bartlett, Turtles and Tortoises: Everything About Selection, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, and Behavior, page 73:

     But for a display of agility almost unparalleled in turtledom, put a small mouse in this turtle's pen, then stand back and watch.

   • 2004, Mary Blocksma, Great Lakes Nature: An Outdoor Year, page 108:

     Kids, collectors and the pet store business are threatening turtledom.

Related terms

• reptiledom