turtleback

I. \\ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun

Etymology: turtle (II) + back

: a raised convex surface: as

a. : an oval boss especially on furniture

b. : a raised obstruction sometimes illuminated and placed in the pavement at a street intersection for the guidance of traffic

c. : a convex deck at the bow or stern and sometimes extending from bow to stern of a boat so made to shed the seas quickly — called also turtle deck

d. : a roughly shaped artifact of stone chipped flat on one side and rounded on the other and prob. a blank form from which an implement might be chipped

e. : a rounded projection on the rear of a vehicle

II. adjective or turtle-backed \\ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\

: having a back or upper surface shaped like the back of a turtle

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/terr"tl bak'/, n.

1. Archaeol. tortoise-core.

2. Furniture. an oval or elliptical boss.

[1880-85; TURTLE¹ + BACK¹]

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turˈtleback noun

Anything arched like a turtle's back, esp a structure over a ship's bows or stern

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Main Entry: ↑turtle