Definition of "tortoiseshell"

The horny, translucent, mottled covering of the carapace of the hawksbill turtle, used as a veneer etc.  examples

The hawksbill turtle.  examples

A domestic cat (or a rabbit, guinea-pig, etc.) whose fur has black, brown and yellow markings.  examples

Any of several butterflies, mostly of the genera Nymphalis and Aglais that have similar markings.  examples

Made of the covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.  examples

Having markings resembling covering of carapace of hawksbill turtle.  examples