chelonian

che·lo·ni·an  (k-ln-n)

adj.

Of, relating to, or belonging to the order Chelonia, which includes the turtles and tortoises.

n.

A reptile of the order Chelonia.

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[From New Latin Chelnia, order name, from Greek kheln, tortoise.]

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chelonian [kɪˈləʊnɪən]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any reptile of the order Chelonia, including the tortoises and turtles, in which most of the body is enclosed in a protective bony capsule

adj

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) of, relating to, or belonging to the Chelonia

[from New Latin Chelōnia, from Greek khelōnē tortoise]

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chelonian  (k-ln-n)

Any of various reptiles of the order Chelonia (or Testudines), which includes the turtles and tortoises. Chelonians lack teeth and usually have a hard shell that protects the body and consists of bony plates fused to the vertebrae and ribs. Unlike all other living reptiles, the skulls of chelonians lack temporal openings, which is characteristic of the earliest known reptiles (called anapsids). Chelonians evolved during the late Permian or Triassic Period and have changed little since.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	chelonian - a reptile of the order Chelonia chelonian reptile anapsid, anapsid reptile - primitive reptile having no opening in the temporal region of the skull; all extinct except turtles order Chelonia, order Testudinata, order Testudines, Testudinata, Testudines, Chelonia - tortoises and turtles turtle - any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming
Adj.	1.	chelonian - of or relating to or resembling or being a turtle or tortoise