- belonging or pertaining to the reptilian order Testudines, comprising turtles, tortoises, and terrapins: Of all the testudinate species that were once abundant here, the snapping turtle is the only one that has not disappeared or become endangered.
- similar to, resembling, or representing turtles, tortoises, or terrapins: We refer to this pattern as “testudinate” because the figures within alternate stripes are clearly turtlelike.
- formed like the carapace of a tortoise; arched; vaulted: Her testudinate doorways and ceilings have the feel of something from antiquity, but they integrate well with her otherwise modern designs.
- a turtle, tortoise, or terrapin.
