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Glite Dictionary
Scarabaeus

Scarabaeus

9.9
A beetle that often rolls dung into balls
  • noun
  • /ˌskɛrəˈbeɪəs/
  • Specialized
: Scarabaeus
  • Many Scarabaeus species play a crucial role in recycling nutrients by burying dung.

Examples

  • The ancient Egyptians revered the Scarabaeus for its association with the sun god Ra.

  • In some cultures, a Scarabaeus amulet symbolizes transformation and rebirth.

  • When a colossal scarabaeus sacer was uncovered by Baconfield himself as he rooted under his pyramid, he had it carried by four men to the Hungerkunstler's tent.

    Fiction book (1998)

Compounds

Scarabaeus sacer
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A beetle that ancient Egyptians treated as a holy sign of the sun and new life

Surface Forms

Scarabaeus singular
Scarabaei plural

Etymology

Scarabaeus comes from an old Greek word skarabēus meaning 'scarab beetle' and is the source of the English word scarab. These beetles were famous in ancient Egypt and many roll dung into balls, so Scarabaeus is now the scientific name for this group of scarab beetles.