stag beetle

American  

noun

1. any of numerous lamellicorn beetles of the family Lucanidae, some of the males of which have mandibles resembling the antlers of a stag.

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stag beetle British  

noun

1. any lamellicorn beetle of the family Lucanidae , the males of which have large branched mandibles

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Etymology

Origin of stag beetle

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

Jana Goyens and her colleagues at the University of Antwerp in Belgium have been studying stag beetle behavior and the anatomy that makes it possible.

From New York Times • Oct. 10, 2016

In the world of a male stag beetle, a good spot on a rotting log is a way to attract females, who like rotting wood to lay their eggs in.

From New York Times • Oct. 10, 2016

Scrubbed of his cat-whisker greasepaint, Eric Singer, the drummer for Kiss, sounded as intrigued as an entomologist spotting a rainbow stag beetle in a jungle in New Guinea.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2015

I look at a ring that looks like a stag beetle and wonder where the story will lead this time.

From Slate • Dec. 4, 2011

The immense war helmet he wore had the plumes of a blackbird and the horns of a stag beetle adorning it.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques