aspidochelone
English
noun
Definitions
- A fabled sea creature according to the tradition of the and medieval bestiaries, variously described as a large whale or vast sea turtle, and a giant sea monster with huge spines on the ridge of its back. It is often mistaken for an island, enticing unwitting sailors and drowning them.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀσπιδοχελώνη.
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἀσπιδοχελώνη
Gloss
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- χελώνη Ancient Greek
- ἀσπίς Ancient Greek
- ἀσπιδοχελώνη Ancient Greek