testudo

tes·tu·do  (t-std, -sty-)

n. pl. tes·tu·dos

1. A Roman siege device consisting of a movable screen protecting the besiegers' approach to a wall.

2. A cover formed by the overlapping shields of besiegers and held over their heads.

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[Latin testd, from testa, shell.]

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testudo [tɛˈstjuːdəʊ]

n pl -dines [-dɪˌniːz]

(Military / Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) a form of shelter used by the ancient Roman Army for protection against attack from above, consisting either of a mobile arched structure or of overlapping shields held by the soldiers over their heads

[from Latin: a tortoise, from testa a shell]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	testudo - a movable protective covering that provided protection from above; used by Roman troops when approaching the walls of a besieged fortification protective cover, protective covering, protection - a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury; "they had no protection from the fallout"; "wax provided protection for the floors"
	2.	Testudo - type genus of the Testudinidae genus Testudo reptile genus - a genus of reptiles family Testudinidae, Testudinidae - land tortoises European tortoise, Testudo graeca - small land tortoise of southern Europe giant tortoise - very large tortoises of the Galapagos and Seychelles islands