beetle
1
[ beet-l ]
/ ˈbit l /
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), bee·tled, bee·tling.
Chiefly British.
to move quickly; scurry: He beetled off to catch the train.
Origin of beetle
1
before 900; late Middle English
betylle, bityl, Old English
bitela (
bitel- biting (
bit-
bite +
-el adj. suffix) +
-a noun suffix)
Words nearby beetle
Definition for beetling (2 of 3)
beetle
2
[ beet-l ]
/ ˈbit l /
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), bee·tled, bee·tling.
to use a beetle on; drive, ram, beat, or crush with a beetle.
to finish (cloth) with a beetling machine.
Origin of beetle
2
before 900; Middle English
betel, Old English
bētl, bȳtel hammer (cognate with Middle Low German
bētel chisel), equivalent to
bē(a)t-
beat +
-il noun suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM beetle
bee·tler, nounDefinition for beetling (3 of 3)
beetle
3
[ beet-l ]
/ ˈbit l /
adjective
projecting; overhanging: beetle brows.
verb (used without object), bee·tled, bee·tling.
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.
Origin of beetle
3
1325–75; Middle English; back formation from
beetle-browed
Example sentences from the Web for beetling
British Dictionary definitions for beetling (1 of 3)
beetle
1
/ (ˈbiːtəl) /
noun
any insect of the order Coleoptera, having biting mouthparts and forewings modified to form shell-like protective elytra
Related adjective: coleopteran
a game played with dice in which the players draw or assemble a beetle-shaped form
verb (intr ; foll by along, off, etc)
informal
to scuttle or scurry; hurry
Word Origin for beetle
Old English
bitela; related to
bitol teeth,
bit,
bītan to
bite
British Dictionary definitions for beetling (2 of 3)
beetle
2
/ (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 (tr)
to beat or pound with a beetle
to finish (cloth) by means of a beetle
Word Origin for beetle
Old English
bīetel, from
bēatan to
beat; related to Middle Low German
bētel chisel, Old Norse
beytill penis
British Dictionary definitions for beetling (3 of 3)
beetle
3
/ (ˈbiːtəl) /
verb
(intr)
to overhang; jut
adjective
overhanging; prominent
Derived forms of beetle
beetling, adjectiveWord Origin for beetle
C14: perhaps related to
beetle
1