Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Jutting; overhanging.
- intransitive verb To jut; overhang.
- noun Any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera, having biting or chewing mouthparts and forewings modified to form horny coverings that protect the underlying pair of membranous hind wings when at rest.
- noun An insect resembling a member of the order Coleoptera.
- intransitive verb To make one's way or move like a beetle.
- noun A heavy mallet with a large wooden head.
- noun A small wooden household mallet.
- noun A machine with revolving wooden hammers that gives fabrics a lustrous sheen.
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Back-formation from Middle English bitel-brouwed , beetle-browed; see beetle-browed.]
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Middle English betil, from Old English bitela, from bītan, to bite; see bheid- in Indo-European roots.]
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Middle English betel, from Old English bȳtl; see bhau- in Indo-European roots.]
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Examples
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