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Synonyms

death's-head

American  
[deths-hed] / ˈdɛθsˌhɛd /

noun

  1. a human skull, especially as a symbol of mortality.


death's-head British  

noun

  1. a human skull or a representation of one

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of death's-head

First recorded in 1590–1600


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The death's-head hawkmoth caterpillar is also a rare sight in the UK.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2022

Their flight paths suggest these death’s-head hawk moths have some complex navigation skills, the authors said, challenging earlier ideas that insects are just wanderers.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 11, 2022

Its day-flying counterpart, the hummingbird hawkmoth, has also had a good year, as has one of our most mysterious and sought-after species, the death’s-head hawkmoth.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 2, 2020

Furthermore, he says, the noises made by the three death’s-head species are all different, as are the honeybee species they each target, so “the squeaks may be adapted to the specific requirements of those bees.”

From National Geographic ● Aug. 11, 2015

The brush of a death's-head moth against a cold black screen.

From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

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