testudo

views updated May 11 2018

testudo in ancient Rome, a screen on wheels and with an arched roof, used to protect besieging troops; a protective screen formed by a body of troops holding their shields above their heads in such a way that the shields overlap. Recorded from late Middle English, the word is Latin, and means literally ‘tortoise’, from testa ‘tile, shell’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

testudo

views updated Jun 27 2018

testudo screen for the protection of armed forces. XVII. L. testūdo lit. ‘tortoise’, f. testa tile, pot, shell.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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testudo

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