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Glite Dictionary
painted terrapin

painted terrapin

9.5
A freshwater turtle with bright yellow and red markings on its shell and head
  • noun
  • /ˈpeɪntɪd ˈtɛrəpɪn/
  • US
translation icon : tortuga pintada
  • The painted terrapin is easily recognized by its vivid yellow and red stripes along the shell and head.

Examples

  • Many conservationists are working to protect the habitat of the painted terrapin in the wild.

  • A young painted terrapin basked on a log at the edge of the pond.

  • The painted terrapin is often found basking in the sun.

  • Many painted terrapins have bright yellow and red markings.

  • A young painted terrapin basked on a log at the edge of the pond.

  • The painted terrapin is easily recognized by its vivid yellow and red stripes along the shell and head.

  • Many conservationists are working to protect the habitat of the painted terrapin in the wild.

Synonyms

painted turtle
vspainted terrapin
  • US
1 5.1

A freshwater turtle with bright yellow and red marks on its shell and skin

is native more narrowly to the eastern United States rather than broadly North America
Chrysemys picta
vspainted terrapin
  • Specialized
9.9

A freshwater turtle with bright yellow and red markings often called the painted turtle

is native specifically to the eastern United States rather than all North America
painted tortoise
vspainted terrapin
  • US
7.5

A freshwater turtle with bright yellow and red markings on its shell and skin

is specific to the eastern United States rather than all of North America

Surface Forms

painted terrapin singular
painted terrapins plural

Morphology

painted + terrapin

The phrase is compositional: 'painted' (marked with colors) modifies 'terrapin' (a freshwater turtle), so the meaning 'a terrapin with bright or distinctive markings' is directly derivable from the parts. This is a common adjectival naming pattern cross-linguistically and should be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Painted terrapin gets its name from the turtle's bright colors that look as if someone painted its shell and head. So, painted describes the bright pattern and terrapin means 'a small freshwater turtle', which is why the name refers to a turtle with vivid yellow and red markings.