beetle

n. an insect with a hard, shell-like back that protects its wings.

n. any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera, characterized by hardened forewings that form a protective case.

“A shiny black beetle crawled across the garden path and disappeared under a leaf.”

“The researcher identified several rare species of beetle living within the decaying logs of the ancient woodland.”

n. a small, rounded car originally made by Volkswagen.

n. a popular compact car model produced by Volkswagen, noted for its distinctive rounded shape.

“My grandfather still drives an old blue Beetle that he bought in the seventies.”

“The classic Volkswagen Beetle remains a cultural icon and a favourite among vintage car collectors worldwide.”

v. to move quickly or hurry away, like a small insect.

v. to move in a hurried or scurrying manner; often used with 'off' or 'away'.

“As soon as the meeting ended, he beetled off to catch his train.”

“The clerk beetled away to the archives to retrieve the requested documents before the office closed for the day.”

British English · Informal

adj. sticking out or hanging over something else.

adj. projecting or overhanging, most commonly used to describe eyebrows or cliffs.

“The old man looked at me from under his thick, beetle brows.”

“The hikers sought shelter beneath a beetle crag as the storm clouds began to gather over the valley.”

Literary

n. a heavy wooden hammer used for hitting things hard.

n. a heavy wooden mallet used for driving wedges or beating fabric in industrial processes.

“The worker used a heavy beetle to drive the wooden stakes into the ground.”

“In traditional textile mills, a mechanical beetle was employed to hammer the cloth and give it a smooth finish.”

Technical · Archaic