ladybird beetle

[ ley-dee-burd ]
/ ˌleɪ diˌbɜrd /

noun

ladybug.
Also called la·dy·bird.

Origin of ladybird beetle

1730–40, Americanism; lady (uninflected possessive case) Virgin Mary + bird; i.e. (our) Lady's bird

Words nearby ladybird beetle

lady-in-waiting, lady-killer, lady-of-the-night, ladybeetle, ladybird, ladybird beetle, ladyboy, ladybug, ladyfinger, ladyfish, ladyfy

Definition for ladybird (2 of 2)

ladybug
[ ley-dee-buhg ]
/ ˈleɪ diˌbʌg /

noun

any of numerous small, round, often brightly colored and spotted beetles of the family Coccinellidae, feeding chiefly on aphids and other small insects, but including several forms that feed on plants.
Also called ladybeetle, lady beetle, ladybird beetle, ladybird.

Origin of ladybug

First recorded in 1690–1700; lady + bug1

Example sentences from the Web for ladybird

British Dictionary definitions for ladybird

ladybird
/ (ˈleɪdɪˌbɜːd) /

noun

any of various small brightly coloured beetles of the family Coccinellidae, such as Adalia bipunctata (two-spotted ladybird), which has red elytra marked with black spots Usual US and Canadian name: ladybug

Word Origin for ladybird

C18: named after Our Lady, the Virgin Mary