XESTOBIUM RUFOVILLOSUM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bores through wood making a ticking sound popularly thought to presage death

Synonyms:

deathwatch; deathwatch beetle; Xestobium rufovillosum

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("Xestobium rufovillosum" is a kind of...):

beetle (insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings)

Holonyms ("Xestobium rufovillosum" is a member of...):

Anobiidae; family Anobiidae (deathwatch beetles)

Credits