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bee·tle¹

(bētl)

1. Any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera, having biting or chewing mouthparts and forewings modified to form horny coverings that protect the underlying pair of membranous hind wings when at rest.

2. An insect resembling a member of the order Coleoptera.

intr.v. bee·tled, bee·tling, bee·tles

To make one's way or move like a beetle: "Chambermaids ... beetled from bedroom to bedroom loaded with ... champagne" (Vanity Fair).

[Middle English betil, from Old English bitela, from bītan, to bite; see bheid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

bee·tle²

(bētl)

adj.

Jutting; overhanging: beetle brows.

intr.v. bee·tled, bee·tling, bee·tles

To jut; overhang: "The rocks often beetled over the road" (Washington Irving).

[Back-formation from Middle English bitel-brouwed , beetle-browed; see BEETLE-BROWED.]

bee·tle³

(bētl)

1. A heavy mallet with a large wooden head.

2. A small wooden household mallet.

3. A machine with revolving wooden hammers that gives fabrics a lustrous sheen.

[Middle English betel, from Old English bȳtl; see bhau- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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