tortoiseshells
Mottled feline coats
Tortoiseshells are cats with mottled coats of black, orange, and cream—almost always female due to the genetics of coat color.
The term also refers to butterflies with similar patterning, or to the translucent mottled material from hawksbill turtle shells, once prized for combs, eyeglass frames, and decorative objects: a tortoiseshell hairpin.
Now usually imitated in plastic since harvesting endangered sea turtles became illegal.
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- plastronVentral shell portion
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- keratinStructural hair protein
- chelonianTurtle family member
protection · shielding · turtle · terrapin · bony · calcification · domed · segmented
Having irregular color patches
- marbledStreaked with irregular patterns
- dappledMarked with spots
- speckledDotted with small marks
- variegatedMarked with different colors
blotched · streaked · amber · brown · golden · flecked · swirled · brindle
Embedded surface ornamentation
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
- combToothed grooming implement
hairpin · jewelry · buttons · boxes · pique · lacquerware · craftsmanship · polished
Items worn on face for sight
- spectaclesCorrective eyewear worn daily
- framesRigid enclosing structures
- acetateVinegar-derived compound
- horn-rimmedFramed with dark material
vintage · retro · browline · cat-eye · statement · designer · classic · preppy
Inherited family treasure
- vintageQuality from past eras
- collectibleObject worth amassing
- curioOdd collectible item
- relicPreserved ancient object
artifact · Victorian · Edwardian · provenance · estate · auction · antiquarian · patina
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
chelonian · protection · shielding · turtle · terrapin · bony · calcification · domed · segmented · ridged
mottled
Having irregular color patches
variegated · blotched · streaked · amber · brown · golden · flecked · swirled · brindle · patchwork
calico
Patchy-coated cat type
coat · marbled · mottled · brindled · patched · ginger · black · orange · female · genetics
inlay
Embedded surface ornamentation
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- marquetryDecorative veneer patterning
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
comb · hairpin · jewelry · buttons · boxes · pique · lacquerware · craftsmanship · polished · translucent
eyewear
Items worn on face for sight
- spectaclesCorrective eyewear worn daily
- framesRigid enclosing structures
- acetateVinegar-derived compound
horn-rimmed · vintage · retro · browline · cat-eye · statement · designer · classic · preppy · intellectual
heirloom
Inherited family treasure
- vintageQuality from past eras
- collectibleObject worth amassing
- curioOdd collectible item
relic · artifact · Victorian · Edwardian · provenance · estate · auction · antiquarian · patina · restoration
overwinter
Survive the cold season
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- wingspanTip-to-tip extent
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
migration · nectar · willow · elm · larvae · camouflage · basking · woodland · garden · British
tortoiseshellscelluloid
Transparent flammable synthetic material
tortoiseshellstabbies
Patterned domestic felines
calicos · Siamese · tuxedo cats · bicolors · colorpoints
- tortoiseshell catsCats with mottled coloring
- tortoiseshell glassesSpectacles with mottled brown frames
- tortoiseshell framesEyeglass rims with mottled pattern