*beetle*

(Zool.) A small beetle of many species (family Scolytidæ), which in the larval state bores under or in the bark of trees, often doing great damage. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. betel, AS. bītl, b&unr_;tl, mallet, hammer, fr. beátan to beat. See Beat, v. t. ] 1. A heavy mallet, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A machine in which fabrics are subjected to a hammering process while passing over rollers, as in cotton mills; -- called also beetling machine. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Beetled p. pr. & vb. n. Beetling. ] 1. To beat with a heavy mallet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To finish by subjecting to a hammering process in a beetle or beetling machine; as, to beetle cotton goods. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. bityl, bittle, AS. bītel, fr. bītan to bite. See Bite, v. t. ] Any insect of the order Coleoptera, having four wings, the outer pair being stiff cases for covering the others when they are folded up. See Coleoptera. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beetle mite (Zool.), one of many species of mites, of the family Oribatidæ, parasitic on beetles. --
Black beetle, the common large black cockroach (Blatta orientalis). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ See Beetlebrowed. ] To extend over and beyond the base or support; to overhang; to jut. [ 1913 Webster ]

To the dreadful summit of the cliff
That beetles o'er his base into the sea. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Each beetling rampart, and each tower sublime. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

An overhanging brow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. bitelbrowed; cf. OE. bitel, adj., sharp, projecting, n., a beetle. See Beetle an insect. ] Having prominent, overhanging brows; hence, lowering or sullen. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The earlier meaning was, “Having bushy or overhanging eyebrows.” [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Beetle a mallet + head. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A stupid fellow; a blockhead. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) The black-bellied plover, or bullhead (Squatarola helvetica). See Plover. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Dull; stupid. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The handle of a beetle. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ or } n. (Zool.) A weevil or curculio of various species, as the corn weevil. See Curculio. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) See Elater. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) A yellowish beetle (Doryphora decemlineata), with ten longitudinal, black, dorsal stripes. It has migrated eastwards from its original habitat in Colorado, and is very destructive to the potato plant; -- called also potato beetle and potato bug. See Potato beetle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) See 1st Dor. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) A very brilliantly luminous beetle (Pyrophorus noctilucus), one of the elaters, found in Central and South America; -- called also cucujo. The name is also applied to other species. See Firefly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A small beetle of the family Halticidæ, of many species. They have strong posterior legs and leap like fleas. The turnip flea-beetle (Phyllotreta vittata) and that of the grapevine (Graptodera chalybea) are common injurious species. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ From Goliath, the Philistine giant. ] (Zool.) Any species of Goliathus, a genus of very large and handsome African beetles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as ladybird.
Syn. -- ladybug, lady beetle, ladybird, ladybird beetle. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

. A small black dermestoid beetle (Attagenus piceus) whose larva feeds on tapestry, carpets, silk, fur, flour, and various other goods. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]