Beetle

/ˈbiːtəl/ · noun

Meaning

Any of numerous species of insect in the order Coleoptera characterized by a pair of hard, shell-like front wings which cover and protect a pair of rear wings when at rest..

Definitions by Sense

1. Any of numerous species of insect in the order Coleoptera characterized by a pair of hard, shell-like front wings which cover and protect a pair of rear wings when at rest.
2. (uncountable) A game of chance in which players attempt to complete a drawing of a beetle, different dice rolls allowing them to add the various body parts.
3. Alternative letter-case form of Beetle (“car”).
4. To move (away) quickly, to scurry away.
5. Protruding, jutting, overhanging.
6. (ambitransitive) To loom over; to extend or jut (above).
7. A type of mallet with a large wooden head, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc.
8. A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; a beetling machine.

Example Sentences

Guessing competitions were tackled with much enthusiasm, followed by a beetle drive, and judging by the laughter, this was popular with all.

For quotations using this term, see Citations:beetle.

He beetled off on his vacation.

I beetled across to our table, but no Pauline, no Mr Cresswell, no Mr Rudyard.

“[…] But he seems to have beetled off somewhere as usual. […]”

In the falling darkness Harry saw small collections of lights as they passed over more villages, then a winding road on which a single car was beetling its way home through the hills. …

Her eyes still closed, his aunt smiled cruelly. “I know what you are dying to say, Bertie. Go ahead—take the cheap shot. I’ll squash you like the nasty little bug you are.” ¶ Thus chastened, the little man beetled away.

beetle brows

Synonyms for beetle

Antonyms for beetle

Related Words

Word Forms

• beetles
• bittle
• betel
• bittil
• beetling
• beetled
• more beetle
• most beetle

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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