scarab
[ skar-uhb ]
/ ˈskær əb /
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noun
any scarabaeid beetle, especially Scarabaeus sacer, regarded as sacred by the ancient Egyptians.
a representation or image of a beetle, much used among the ancient Egyptians as a symbol, seal, amulet, or the like.
a gem cut to resemble a beetle.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Also scarabaeus (for defs. 2, 3).
Origin of scarab
First recorded in 1570–80; short for scarabaeus
Words nearby scarab
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for scarab
British Dictionary definitions for scarab
scarab
/ (ˈskærəb) /
noun
any scarabaeid beetle, esp Scarabaeus sacer (sacred scarab), regarded by the ancient Egyptians as divine
the scarab as represented on amulets, etc, of ancient Egypt, or in hieroglyphics as a symbol of the solar deity
Word Origin for scarab
C16: from Latin scarabaeus; probably related to Greek karabos horned beetle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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