Beetle

English Meaning

A heavy mallet, used to drive wedges, beat pavements, etc.

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.
3. To make one's way or move like a beetle: "Chambermaids . . . beetled from bedroom to bedroom loaded with . . . champagne” ( Vanity Fair).
4. Jutting; overhanging: beetle brows.
5. To jut; overhang: "The rocks often beetled over the road” ( Washington Irving).
6. A heavy mallet with a large wooden head.
7. A small wooden household mallet.
8. A machine with revolving wooden hammers that gives fabrics a lustrous sheen.