- oil beetle
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any of several blister beetles of the genus Meloe that exude an oily fluid from the joints of their legs when disturbed.[1650-60]
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Universalium. 2010.
oil beetle
Look at other dictionaries:
Oil beetle — Oil Oil (oil), n. [OE. oile, OF. oile, F. huile, fr. L. oleum; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Olive}.] Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, more viscous than and not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
oil beetle — n. any of various small blister beetles (esp. genus Meloe) which, when disturbed, produce an oily secretion from the joints of the legs … English World dictionary
oil beetle — oil′ bee tle n. ent any of several blister beetles of the genus Meloe that exude oily fluid from their leg joints when disturbed • Etymology: 1650–60 … From formal English to slang
oil beetle — noun a slow moving flightless beetle that releases a foul smelling oily secretion when disturbed. [Meloe and other genera.] … English new terms dictionary
oil beetle — noun any of various beetles that exude an oily substance from the leg joints that deters enemies • Hypernyms: ↑blister beetle, ↑meloid … Useful english dictionary
oil beetle — noun Date: 1658 any of various blister beetles (genus Meloe or a related genus) that emit a yellowish liquid from the leg joints when disturbed … New Collegiate Dictionary
Oil — (oil), n. [OE. oile, OF. oile, F. huile, fr. L. oleum; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Olive}.] Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, more viscous than and not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc. They are of … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Oil bag — Oil Oil (oil), n. [OE. oile, OF. oile, F. huile, fr. L. oleum; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Olive}.] Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, more viscous than and not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Oil box — Oil Oil (oil), n. [OE. oile, OF. oile, F. huile, fr. L. oleum; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Olive}.] Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, more viscous than and not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Oil cake — Oil Oil (oil), n. [OE. oile, OF. oile, F. huile, fr. L. oleum; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Olive}.] Any one of a great variety of unctuous combustible substances, more viscous than and not miscible with water; as, olive oil, whale oil, rock oil, etc.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
