Definition of "beetle" in English

noun

1. Any of numerous species of insect in the order Coleoptera characterized by a pair of hard, shell-like front wings which cover and protect a pair of rear wings when at rest.

2. (uncountable) A game of chance in which players attempt to complete a drawing of a beetle, different dice rolls allowing them to add the various body parts.

3. Alternative letter-case form of Beetle (“car”).

   • For quotations using this term, see Citations:beetle.

verb

1. To move (away) quickly, to scurry away.

   • He beetled off on his vacation.
   • I beetled across to our table, but no Pauline, no Mr Cresswell, no Mr Rudyard.

adjective

1. Protruding, jutting, overhanging.

   • beetle brows

verb

1. (ambitransitive) To loom over; to extend or jut (above).

   • The heavy chimney beetled over the thatched roof.

noun

1. A type of mallet with a large wooden head, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc.

2. A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; a beetling machine.

verb

1. To beat with a heavy mallet.

2. To finish by subjecting to a hammering process in a beetle or beetling machine.

   • to beetle cotton goods

noun

1. Archaic spelling of betel.