Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Chelonia
‖
Che-lo′ni-a
(kē̍-lō′nĭ-ȧ)
, Noun.
pl.
[NL., fr. Gr.
χελώνη
a tortoise.] (Zool.)
An order of reptiles, including the tortoises and turtles, peculiar in having a part of the vertebræ, ribs, and sternum united with the dermal plates so as to form a firm shell. The jaws are covered by a horny beak. See
Reptilia
; also, Illust. in Appendix.