tortoiseshell (hawksbill turtle)
Refers to the shell of the hawksbill turtle (タイマイ), used for ornaments and crafts.
See also: タイマイ
The frame of these glasses is made of tortoiseshell.
tortoiseshell (Chinese soft-shelled turtle)
Used in Chinese medicine; specifically from the shell of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (スッポン).
See also: すっぽん
In Chinese medicine, tortoiseshell from the soft-shelled turtle is sometimes used.
tortoiseshell sauce; thickened dashi-soy-mirin sauce
Standard mixed kanji-kana spelling.
Full kanji form; the first character is uncommon and may not display correctly on all devices.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing.
From the reading of 鼈 (べつ, a type of turtle) and 甲 (こう, shell), with the first character's reading contracted to べっ.