beetle
The definition of a beetle is an insect of the Coleoptera order that has a tough round body and two sets of wings, one which is stiff and protects the other.
(noun)An example of a beetle is a boll weevil.
See beetle in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- any of a large order (Coleoptera) of insects, including weevils, with biting mouthparts and hard front wings (elytra) that cover the membranous hind wings when the hind wings are folded
- any insect resembling a beetle
Origin: ME bitil < OE bitela < bītan, bite
noun
- a heavy mallet, usually wooden, for driving wedges, tamping earth, etc.
- a household mallet or pestle for mashing or beating
- a club used in finishing handmade linen
- a machine for finishing cloth by beating it over or between rollers
Origin: ME & OE (Anglian) betel, mallet, hammer: ult. connected with beat
See beetle in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera, having biting mouthparts and forewings modified to form horny coverings that protect the underlying pair of membranous hind wings when at rest.
- An insect resembling a member of the order Coleoptera.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English betil
Origin: , from Old English bitela
Origin: , from bītan, to bite; see bheid- in Indo-European roots
.adjective
Origin:
Origin: From Middle English bitel-brouwed, grim-browed
Origin: : bitel, sharp (probably from Old English *bitol, biting, from Old English bite, bite; see bit 2)
Origin: + brouwed (from brow, brow; see brow)
.noun
- A heavy mallet with a large wooden head.
- A small wooden household mallet.
- A machine with revolving wooden hammers that gives fabrics a lustrous sheen.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English betel
Origin: , from Old English bȳtl; see bhau- in Indo-European roots
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