| any of various carrion beetles that bury the carcasses of small animals, esp. rodents, in which their eggs have been deposited. |
| bur·y·ing beetle (běr'ē-ĭng) n. Any of various black or black and orange beetles of the genus Nicrophorus that bury dead mice and other small animals on which they feed and lay their eggs. Also called sexton beetle. |
| sexton beetle n. See burying beetle. |
