Meaning of the word "deathwatch beetle" in English
What does "deathwatch beetle" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
deathwatch beetle
US /ˈdeθwɑːtʃ ˌbiːtl/
UK /ˈdeθwɑːtʃ ˌbiːtl/
Noun
1.
a type of beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum) that makes a ticking sound by banging its head against wood, often associated with old timber in houses and formerly believed to foretell death
Example:
•
The old house was infested with deathwatch beetles, their ticking a constant reminder of decay.
•
The carpenter identified the strange tapping sound as coming from a deathwatch beetle.
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