tortoiseshell
Amber-and-black material
Tortoiseshell is a mottled pattern of brown, amber, and black, originally from the shell of hawksbill sea turtles, historically used for decorative objects like combs and eyeglass frames.
Now the term mostly describes cats with this coloring—nearly always female due to genetics—or anything imitating the pattern: tortoiseshell glasses, a tortoiseshell cat.
Also spelled tortoise-shell.
Patchy-coated cat type
- tabbyPatterned domestic cat
- felineOf or like cats
- brindleStreaky animal coat pattern
- tricolorThree-hued emblem
patches · ginger · marbled · mottled · coat · fur · markings · whiskers
Having irregular color patches
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- brownDark earth tone
- goldenBright yellow, or precious
- swirledMoved in curves
marbled · variegated · streaked · blotched · flecked · honey · caramel · ochre
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
- chelonianTurtle family member
- terrapinSmall edible marsh turtle
- plastronVentral shell portion
scutes · shelled · basking · Galápagos · endangered · ectothermic · hibernation · herbivore
Embedded surface ornamentation
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- lacquerwareResin-finished decorative objects
- artisanSkilled manual tradesperson
handcrafted · polishing · restoration · antique · decorative · ornamental · furniture · box
Structural hair protein
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- organicFrom living matter
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
translucent · laminated · natural · harvested · banned · CITES · endangered · horn
Small styling fastener
- combToothed grooming implement
- barretteSmall clasp for locks
- broochDecorative fastening ornament
- braceletOrnamental wrist band
earrings · pendant · hairband · bobby pins · bangle · tiara · compact · cigarette holder
Corrective eyewear or tumblers
- framesRigid enclosing structures
- spectaclesCorrective eyewear worn daily
- acetateVinegar-derived compound
- vintageQuality from past eras
retro · horn-rimmed · bifocals · reading · prescription · sunglasses · browline · wayfarer
calico
Patchy-coated cat type
tricolor · patches · ginger · marbled · mottled · coat · fur · markings · whiskers · paws
mottled
Having irregular color patches
swirled · marbled · variegated · streaked · blotched · flecked · honey · caramel · ochre · tawny
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
plastron · scutes · shelled · basking · Galápagos · endangered · ectothermic · hibernation · herbivore · slow
inlay
Embedded surface ornamentation
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- lacquerwareResin-finished decorative objects
artisan · handcrafted · polishing · restoration · antique · decorative · ornamental · furniture · box · frame
keratin
Structural hair protein
polished · translucent · laminated · natural · harvested · banned · CITES · endangered · horn · protein
hairclip
Small styling fastener
bracelet · earrings · pendant · hairband · bobby pins · bangle · tiara · compact · cigarette holder · snuffbox
glasses
Corrective eyewear or tumblers
- framesRigid enclosing structures
- spectaclesCorrective eyewear worn daily
- acetateVinegar-derived compound
vintage · retro · horn-rimmed · bifocals · reading · prescription · sunglasses · browline · wayfarer · cat-eye
- catscat, kitten, kitty, feline, tabby
- petsdog, dogs, cats, puppy, kitten
- animal productswool, leather, hide, pelt, fur
- butterfliesmonarch, swallowtail, painted lady, red admiral, viceroy
- cat traitssilky coat, coat, tabby pattern, claws, long-haired
- markingsspots, specks, speckles, lines, dots
tortoiseshellsolid
Firm matter state
monochrome · monochromatic · plain · uniform · unpatterned
- tortoiseshell catsCats with mottled coloring
- tortoiseshell glassesSpectacles with mottled brown frames
- tortoiseshell framesEyeglass rims with mottled pattern