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😠 An unpleasant person 🐢 A smelly turtle
stinkpot

stinkpot

1 9.9
A small North American turtle that gives off a strong smell when scared
  • noun
  • /ˈstɪŋkˌpɒt/
  • US
translation icon : tortuga almizclera
  • When threatened, the stinkpot releases a pungent odor as a defense mechanism.

Examples

  • Look at that stinkpot!

  • The stinkpot is a common sight in the shallow lakes and ponds of North America.

  • Many people are surprised by the strong smell a stinkpot can produce.

  • I saw a stinkpot sunbathing on the rock.

  • The stinkpot can be easily recognized by the strong odor it releases when it feels threatened.

  • When the child picked up the stinkpot, a musky smell filled the air.

  • The stinkpot is often found basking on logs near quiet ponds in North America.

Synonyms

musk turtle
vsstinkpot
  • US
7.7

A small freshwater turtle that gives off a strong smell when threatened

refers to a specific species known for its defensive odor
Sternotherus
vsstinkpot
  • Specialized
9.9

A small North American freshwater turtle that gives off a strong smell when frightened

denotes a single species within that genus notable for its strong defensive smell

Surface Forms

stinkpot singular
stinkpots plural

Morphology

stinkpot = stink + pot (semi-transparent) = stink + pot

The name is a direct compound of 'stink' + 'pot' referring to the turtle's characteristic odor, but 'pot' is metaphorical rather than a literal container so the relation is not fully literal.

Etymology

Stinkpot comes from the simple parts stink ('bad smell') and pot ('container'). It was given to the small musk turtle because the animal can release a strong 'stink' when scared, like a little 'pot' of bad smell, so the name tells you what the animal does.