testūdō inis, f testa, a tortoise: fluviatiles testudines: collecta in suum tegumen, L.

—Tortoise-shell: varios pulchrā testudine postīs, i. e. overlaid with tortoise-shell, V.

—Because shells were used as frames for stringed instruments, a stringed instrument of music, lyre, lute, cithern: cavā solans aegrum testudine amorem, V.: resonare septem Callida nervis, H.

—In building, an arched room, inner chamber, arch, vault: commentari in quādam testudine: mediā testudine templi, V.

— In war, a tortoise, covering, shed, shelter: turrīs testudinesque agere, i. e. wooden sheds protecting the besiegers, Cs.: testudine factā, i. e. with shields interlaced, L.: actā testudine, V.

—A head-dress resembling a lyre: Cyllenea, O.