loggerhead sea turtle
loggerhead sea turtle Lexical Profile
• noun
A large, wide-ranging marine reptile belonging to the family Cheloniidae, found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, characterized by its reddish-brown shell and a disproportionately large head with powerful jaws used for crushing hard-shelled prey such as crabs and conchs.
"Conservation groups closely monitor the nesting beaches in Florida to protect the eggs of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The term 'loggerhead' originally referred to a thick block of wood or a 'blockhead' (a stupid person) in the late 16th century. It was applied to this sea turtle species in the 17th century because of its exceptionally large, thick skull and powerful jaws, which distinguish it from other marine turtles.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.