beetling
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
bee·tle 1
(bēt′l)n.
1. 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.
2. An insect resembling a member of the order Coleoptera.
intr.v. 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).
[Middle English betil, from Old English bitela, from bītan, to bite; see bheid- in Indo-European roots.]
bee·tle 2
(bēt′l)adj.
Jutting; overhanging: beetle brows.
intr.v. bee·tled, bee·tling, bee·tles
To jut; overhang: "The rocks often beetled over the road" (Washington Irving).
[Back-formation from Middle English bitel-brouwed , beetle-browed; see beetle-browed.]
bee·tle 3
(bēt′l)n.
1. A heavy mallet with a large wooden head.
2. A small wooden household mallet.
3. A machine with revolving wooden hammers that gives fabrics a lustrous sheen.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. |  beetling - jutting or overhanging; "beetle brows"protrusive - thrusting outward |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
beetling
adj cliffs → überhängend; brow → vorspringend
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007