woodborer

American  

[wood-bawr-er, -bohr-] / ˈwʊdˌbɔr ər, -ˌboʊr- /

noun

1. a tool, operated by compressed air, for boring wood.

2. Zoology.

   1. borer.

   2. borer.

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woodborer British  

/ ˈwʊdˌbɔːrə /

noun

1. any of various beetles of the families Anobiidae, Buprestidae, etc, the larvae of which bore into and damage wood

2. any of various other unrelated invertebrates that bore into wood

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Other Word Forms

• woodboring adjective

Etymology

Origin of woodborer

First recorded in 1840–50; wood ¹ + borer

Example Sentences

Hedge’s print-based method could help examine woodborer species distribution and historical ranges throughout the world, indicating changes in local populations and arrival times of invasive species.

From Scientific American

The Uroceridæ or woodborers are to be found only about trees in which the larvæ breed.

From Project Gutenberg

And think of the damage done to arboriculture by the woodborers alone were it not for the help given by the birds.

From Project Gutenberg