Word
scarab
UK/skˈæɹæb/
Definition
n. a type of beetle that is often shiny and has a hard shell. In ancient Egypt, these insects were very important and even seen as a symbol of life.
n. a beetle of the family Scarabaeidae, typically characterized by a hard, often iridescent exoskeleton. In a historical context, it refers specifically to the sacred scarab of ancient Egypt, often carved into amulets.
Examples
“The ancient Egyptians often wore jewelry shaped like a scarab.”
“During the excavation, archaeologists discovered a golden scarab amulet buried with the pharaoh's remains.”
“The scarab, revered as a symbol of rebirth and protection in ancient Egyptian cosmology, continues to influence modern jewelry design and archaeological studies of the Nile Valley.”
Examples
simple
“The ancient Egyptians often wore jewelry shaped like a scarab.”
contextual
“During the excavation, archaeologists discovered a golden scarab amulet buried with the pharaoh's remains.”
complex
“The scarab, revered as a symbol of rebirth and protection in ancient Egyptian cosmology, continues to influence modern jewelry design and archaeological studies of the Nile Valley.”
Etymology
From Middle French scarabée, from Latin scarabaeus (“beetle”). Doublet of scarabaeus, now obsolete.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.