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Glite Dictionary
dermestid

dermestid

1 9.9
A small beetle whose young eat dry animal or plant parts and can clean skeletons
  • noun
  • /dɜrˈmɛstɪd/
  • Specialized
: dermestido
  • That's the dermestid beetle.
  • dermestid beetle

Examples

  • The museum relies on dermestids to clean the animal bones in its exhibits.

  • It's a Dermestid Beetle.

    The Relic (1997)

  • It came back "Dermestid Beetle."

    The Relic (1997)

  • After the animal was prepared, the dermestids were introduced to consume any remaining flesh.

  • A collection of dermestids is often used by taxidermists to ensure thorough cleaning of skeletons.

Synonyms

Dermestidae
vsdermestid
  • Specialized
9.9

Small beetles like carpet beetles whose larvae eat dry animal or plant parts and damage carpets and clothes

refers to one member of that family used to clean skeletons

Surface Forms

dermestid singular
dermestids plural

Morphology

dermestid = Dermestes (opaque) = Dermestes + id

The formation is a taxonomic derivation from a genus name plus the suffix '-id', which is specialized scientific terminology not predictable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word dermestid comes from Greek parts dermē 'skin' and estēs 'eater', so it literally means 'skin-eater'. That's why dermestid beetles and their larvae eat dry animal material and are used to clean skeletons without harming the bones.