calipee
(ˈkælɪpiː)
Forms: 7 calla-, challapee, 7–9 calapee, 8 callepy, 8– calli-, calipee.
[See prec.; not found in any other European lang.]
1. † a. The lower shell or plastron of the turtle. (obs.) b. That part next the lower shell, containing a light yellowish gelatinous substance.
| 1657 R. Ligon Barbadoes (1673) 36 Lifting up his [a Turtle's] belly, which we call his Calipee, we lay open all his bowells. 1679 T. Trapham Jamaica in Sir T. Blount Nat. Hist. (1693) 354 The Callapee, viz. the Belly-part so called, baked, is an excellent dish. 1689 [see calipash]. 1699 W. Dampier Voy. I. 102 The Challapee, or Belly [of a tortoise]. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. Housekpr. (1778) 15 Cut off the bottom shell, then cut off the meat that grows to it, (which is the callepy or fowl). 1829 Marryat F. Mildmay xviii, Turtle lying on their backs, and displaying their rich calapee. [see prec.] |
† 2. A kind of turtle. ? Obs.
| 1794 Stedman Surinam (1813) I. i. 16 The turtles are divided into two species, and are generally distinguished in Surinam by the names of calapee or green turtle, and carett. |