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oil beetle
noun
- any of several blister beetles of the genus Meloe that exude an oily fluid from the joints of their legs when disturbed.
oil beetle
noun
- any of various beetles of the family Meloidae that exude an oily evil-smelling blood from their joints, which deters enemies
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Word History and Origins
Origin of oil beetle1
First recorded in 1650–60
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Example Sentences
Part of his motivation had been provided by the oil-beetle larvae.
From Project Gutenberg
Some of them provide me with the oil beetle and the Sitaris, rare finds at one time, today of no use to me.
From Project Gutenberg
It happily consumes those provisions and, in time, an oil-beetle crawls out of the tunnel a mining-bee so laboriously prepared.
From Project Gutenberg
It is a protection, for it both smells and tastes so nasty that no bird will ever attempt to eat an oil-beetle.
From Project Gutenberg
The English, because of its trick of discharging oily blood when on the defensive, call this insect the Oil-beetle.
From Project Gutenberg
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