scarab

American  

[skar-uhb] / ˈskær əb /

noun

1. any scarabaeid beetle, especially Scarabaeus sacer, regarded as sacred by the ancient Egyptians.

2. a representation or image of a beetle, much used among the ancient Egyptians as a symbol, seal, amulet, or the like.

3. a gem cut to resemble a beetle.

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scarab British  

/ ˈskærəb /

noun

1. any scarabaeid beetle, esp Scarabaeus sacer ( sacred scarab ), regarded by the ancient Egyptians as divine

2. the scarab as represented on amulets, etc, of ancient Egypt, or in hieroglyphics as a symbol of the solar deity

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Etymology

Origin of scarab

First recorded in 1570–80; short for scarabaeus

Explanation

A scarab was a sacred beetle in ancient Egypt. For many Egyptians, the scarab represented rebirth and resurrection. The scarab is a type of large black dung beetle known for its habit of rolling little balls of dung across the ground. This is part of the reason scarabs were revered by ancient Egyptians, who saw a parallel between this dung-rolling and their own sun god's daily rolling of the sun across the sky. Jewels cut and shaped to resemble these beetles are also called scarabs. The Greek root word is karabos, "horned beetle" or "crayfish."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scarab

And just as Jaime was chosen by the alien scarab that gave him super powers, Maridueña was handpicked for this groundbreaking role.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2024

By chance, Jaime crosses paths with a mystical blue scarab that attaches itself to him, and he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle.

From Salon ● Sep. 3, 2023

He must ensure the scarab does not fall into the wrong hands while also trying to protect his family.

From Reuters ● Aug. 15, 2023

The grubs are the larvae of the European chafer, a nonnative scarab beetle first spotted in Washington state in 2008.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 10, 2021

With it he scratched in the missing bits of the scarab mark.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw