. (Zool.) A bark beetle that makes and feeds on ambrosia{ 4 }. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

(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. ]

(Zool.) Any one of numerous species of aquatic beetles belonging to Dytiscus and allied genera of the family Dytiscidae, and to various genera of the family Hydrophilidae. These beetles swim with great agility, the fringed hind legs acting together like oars. [ 1913 Webster ]