View synonyms for beetle

beetle

[ beet-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera, characterized by hard, horny forewings that cover and protect the membranous flight wings.
(loosely) any of various insects resembling the beetle, as a cockroach.

verb (used without object)

beetled, beetling.

Chiefly British. to move quickly; scurry:
He beetled off to catch the train.

beetle

[ beet-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a heavy hammering or ramming instrument, usually of wood, used to drive wedges, force down paving stones, compress loose earth, etc.
any of various wooden instruments for beating linen, mashing potatoes, etc.

verb (used with object)

beetled, beetling.

to use a beetle on; drive, ram, beat, or crush with a beetle.
to finish (cloth) with a beetling machine.

beetle

[ beet-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

projecting; overhanging:
beetle brows.

verb (used without object)

beetled, beetling.

to project; jut out; overhang:
a cliff that beetles over the sea; his mustache and beetling brows; thick eyebrows beetling over blue eyes.
to hang or tower over in a threatening or menacing manner:
The prospect of bankruptcy beetled over him.

beetle

/ ˈbiːtəl /

noun

any insect of the order Coleoptera , having biting mouthparts and forewings modified to form shell-like protective elytra coleopteran
a game played with dice in which the players draw or assemble a beetle-shaped form

verb

informal.
to scuttle or scurry; hurry

beetle

/ ˈbiːtəl /

noun

a heavy hand tool, usually made of wood, used for ramming, pounding, or beating
a machine used to finish cloth by stamping it with wooden hammers

verb

to beat or pound with a beetle
to finish (cloth) by means of a beetle

beetle

/ ˈbiːtəl /

verb

intr to overhang; jut

adjective

overhanging; prominent

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Derived Forms

ˈbeetling, adjective

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Other Words From

beetler noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of beetle¹

First recorded before 900; late Middle English bit(t)il, betylle, bityl, Old English bitel(a), betl, derivative of bītan bite

Origin of beetle²

First recorded before 900; Middle English betel, bitille “mallet, hammer,” Old English bītel, bētel, bȳtel (cognate with Middle Low German bētel “chisel”), derivative of bē(a)tan beat

Origin of beetle³

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; back formation from beetle-browed none

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Word History and Origins

Origin of beetle¹

Old English bitela ; related to bitol teeth, bit , bītan to bite

Origin of beetle²

Old English bīetel , from bēatan to beat ; related to Middle Low German bētel chisel, Old Norse beytill penis

Origin of beetle³

C14: perhaps related to beetle ¹

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Example Sentences

According to the publication, Capt. Jonathan Carver documented in the 1760s that Native American tribes used beetle larvae, which emerged from thawing tree bark during this time of year.

From Los Angeles Times

Hidden inside the bundle were insects not fit for consumption, but ideal for exotic beetle enthusiasts.

From Los Angeles Times

More than one-third of all animals on Earth, from beetles to cows to elephants, depend on plant-based diets.

From Salon

Fires charred their bark, droughts forced them to ration water, and invasive beetles — some brought to Southern California via firewood — bored into them.

From Los Angeles Times

The coprolites contained remains of fish, insects, larger animals and plants, some of which were unusually well preserved, including small beetles and semi-complete fish.

From Science Daily

Related Words

Beethoven beet leafhopper

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