Word: tortoiseshells
Part of speech: Noun
Syllables: tor
toi
se
shells
Definition: Plural of tortoiseshell; brilliantly colored; larvae feed on nettles
Morphemes:
Affix: tortoise
Language: en
PoS: Noun
Meaning: Any of various land-dwelling reptiles, of the family Testudinidae or the order Testudines whose body is enclosed in a shell (carapace plus plastron). The animal can withdraw its head and four legs partially into the shell, providing some protection from predators.
Etymology Compounds: Affix: ταρταροῦχος
Language: grc
Decoded: tartaroukhos
Meaning: holder of Tartaros, Tartarus, the land of the dead in ancient stories
Affix: shell
Language: en
PoS: Noun
Meaning: The conjoined scutes that constitute the "shell" (carapace) of a tortoise or turtle.
Affix: -s
Language: en
PoS: Suffix
Meaning: Used to form many pluralia tantum (nouns that are almost or entirely without singular forms).