scarab
Americannoun
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any scarabaeid beetle, especially Scarabaeus sacer, regarded as sacred by the ancient Egyptians.
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a representation or image of a beetle, much used among the ancient Egyptians as a symbol, seal, amulet, or the like.
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a gem cut to resemble a beetle.
noun
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any scarabaeid beetle, esp Scarabaeus sacer ( sacred scarab ), regarded by the ancient Egyptians as divine
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the scarab as represented on amulets, etc, of ancient Egypt, or in hieroglyphics as a symbol of the solar deity
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."
Vocabulary lists containing scarab
Ancient Egypt - Introductory
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Ancient Egypt - Middle School and High School
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King Tut Day
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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.
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
In “Blue Beetle,” Reyes finds himself in possession of an ancient scarab named Khaji Da made of alien biotechnology that chooses Reyes as its symbiotic host.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 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
He’s in search of a golden scarab, has a tattoo of scales on his arm that moves and desperately needs a hair cut.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2022
“There’s something funny, though,” said Hermione ten minutes later, holding her pestle suspended over a bowl of scarab beetles.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
