1. Any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera, having biting 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.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
Inflected forms: 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).
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English betil, from Old English bitela, from btan, to bite. See bheid- in Appendix I.
b
t
l
tan, to bite. See bheid- in Appendix I.
