a. and sb. [f. Gr. θαλάσσι-ος marine, f. θάλασσα sea + -AN.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the sea, marine; spec. applied to the marine tortoises and turtles.
1850. Broderip, Notebk. Nat., x. (1852), 264. Nature has modified the Chelonian type into the Thalassian shape.
Comb. 1869. Browning, Ring & Bk., IX. 893. Pompilia … Springs to her feet, and stands Thalassian-pure.
B. sb. A marine tortoise or turtle.
1850. Broderip, Notebk. Nat., xi. (1852), 276. And now a few words on the natural history and capture of some of these Thalassians.
1900. F. T. Bullen, Idylls of Sea, 164. The Thalassians or oceanic tortoises, from which alone our supplies are drawn.
