Definition

Noun: 1. A grey sea turtle of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America: This term refers to a specific species of marine turtle, known for its grey coloration and habitat along the eastern and southern coasts of North America.

Usage Notes

• The term "bastard turtle" is a common name for a specific species of sea turtle. In formal or scientific contexts, the species is more precisely identified by its scientific name () or by other common names like "Kemp's ridley sea turtle."
• The word "bastard" in this compound name is historical and does not carry its typical modern pejorative meaning in this specific zoological context.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The bastard turtle is the rarest species of sea turtle.
  • Conservation efforts are focused on protecting the nesting beaches of the bastard turtle.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in historical texts, regional vernacular, or older field guides. Modern wildlife conservation and biology texts predominantly use "Kemp's ridley (sea turtle)."

Variants and Related Words

• Kemp's ridley (sea turtle) (n): The more common and preferred contemporary name for the same species ().
• Ridley sea turtle (n): The general common name for the genus , which includes the Kemp's ridley and the olive ridley.

Synonyms

• Kemp's ridley
• Kemp's ridley sea turtle

Important Note

• "Bastard turtle" is a fixed compound noun. The word "bastard" should not be used in isolation to refer to this animal. Using the modern name "Kemp's ridley" is strongly recommended to avoid confusion and potential offense.

Noun

1. grey sea turtle of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America