rove beetle
- any of numerous beetles of the family Staphylinidae, having a slender, elongated body and very short front wings, and capable of running swiftly.
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Origin of rove beetle
First recorded in 1765–75
Also called staphylinid.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for rove beetle
Historical Examples of rove beetle
Of this description is the maxilla in the common dung-beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius), and rove-beetle (Staphylinus olens).
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)William Kirby
rove beetle
- any beetle of the family Staphylinidae, characterized by very short elytra and an elongated body: typically they are of carnivorous or scavenging habits
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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