terrapin
English
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terrapin
- /ˈtɛɹəpɪn/ UK
- /ˈtɛɹəˌpɪn/ US
- /ˈtæɹəˌpɪn/ Southern US
- /ˈtɛɚpɪn/ Southern US
- /ˈtɑɹpɪn/ Southern US
- /-ən/ Southern US
Where it comes from
From torup (“snapping turtle native to North America, especially the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)”) or from its etymon Powhatan *tōrəp (“sea turtle”) + possibly English -ine (suffix forming derivative or diminutive nouns), perhaps influenced by Latin terra (“dry land; soil; planet Earth”). Cognate with Abenaki tolba (“turtle”), Penobscot dolba and Unami (pisëla)tulpe (“soft-shelled turtle”).
noun terrapins · terapin
- Any of several small turtles of the families Emydidae and Geoemydidae found throughout the world.
- Any turtle. The third ſervice was made up of a loin of freſh pork with apple-ſauce, a kid ſmothered with onions, and a terrapin baked in the ſhell; […]
- Any of several small turtles native to North America that live in brackish or fresh water, especially the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). As to the terrapin, I have not so much to say. The terrapin is a small turtle, found on the shores of Maryland and Virginia, out of which a very rich soup is made. It is cooked with wines and spices, and is served in the shape of a hash, with heaps of little bones mixed through it. […] I must, howev
- The flesh of such a turtle used as food. The man who did not eat twice of terrapin would be held in small repute, as the Londoner is held who at a city banquet does not partake of both thick and thin turtle.
Translations
Every language
noun any of several small turtles of the families Emydidae and Geoemydidae
| Español | terrapene |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | キスイガメ |
| 中文 | 水龜 /水龟 shuǐguī |
| Português | terrapin, cágado |
| Français | tortue aquatique |
| Italiano | emide |
| Tiếng Việt | rùa ao, rùa đầm |
| العربية | حَمَسَة ḥamasa, رَقّ raqq |
noun any of several small turtles native to North America that live in brackish or fresh water
| Português | cágado |
|---|
Talk about this word "terrapin." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/terrapin. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. terrapin. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/terrapin "terrapin." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/terrapin.Cite this
@misc{terrapin_2026,
title = {terrapin},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/terrapin},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
