cockchafer

[ kok-chey-fer ]
/ ˈkɒkˌtʃeɪ fər /

noun

any of certain scarab beetles, especially the European species, Melolontha melolontha, which is very destructive to forest trees.

Origin of cockchafer

1685–95; cock1 (with reference to its size) + chafer

Words nearby cockchafer

cockatoo, cockatrice, cockayne, cockayne's syndrome, cockboat, cockchafer, cockcroft, cockcrow, cocked, cocked hat, cocker

Example sentences from the Web for cockchafer

British Dictionary definitions for cockchafer

cockchafer
/ (ˈkɒkˌtʃeɪfə) /

noun

any of various Old World scarabaeid beetles, esp Melolontha melolontha of Europe, whose larvae feed on crops and grasses Also called: May beetle, May bug

Word Origin for cockchafer

C18: from cock 1 + chafer