rove beetle

noun

any of numerous beetles of the family Staphylinidae, having a slender, elongated body and very short front wings, and capable of running swiftly.
Also called staphylinid.

Origin of rove beetle

First recorded in 1765–75

Words nearby rove beetle

rouyn, roué, rov, rovaniemi, rove, rove beetle, rove-over, rover, rover boy, roving, roving commission

Example sentences from the Web for rove beetle

British Dictionary definitions for rove beetle

rove beetle

noun

any beetle of the family Staphylinidae, characterized by very short elytra and an elongated body: typically they are of carnivorous or scavenging habits