Beetle
/ˈbiː.təl/noun
A hard-bodied insect with forewings adapted into protective covers.
Did you know?Old English had a verb *bitan* meaning “to bite,” and the beetle’s name likely grew from that same biting root, because these insects were seen as little armored biters.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeyd-
“to bite”
Old English
English
bitela
“beetle; literally, a biter”
Middle English
English
betylle / betel
“beetle”
Modern English
English
beetle
“a hard-bodied insect”