terrapin

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ter=ra=pin

CIDE DICTIONARY

terrapin, n. [Probably of American Indian origin.].

 Any one of numerous species of tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for food.  [1913 Webster]
" The yellow-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys scabra) of the Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa or Chrysemys rubriventris), native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also potter, slider, and redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh terrapin (Malaclemmys palustris), are the most important American species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the Atlantic coast of the United States."  [1913 Webster]

Alligator terrapin, the snapping turtle. -- Mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of American tortoises of the genus Cinosternon. -- Painted terrapin, the painted turtle. See under Painted. -- Speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water American terrapin (Chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round yellow spots; -- called also spotted turtle.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

terrapin, n.
1 any of various N. American edible freshwater turtles of the family Emydidae.
2 (Terrapin) propr. a type of prefabricated one-storey building.

Etymology

Algonquian