cockchafer
Any of the large European beetles from the genus Melolontha that are destructive to…Any of the large European beetles from the genus Melolontha that are destructive to vegetation.
Meaning
2 sensesAny of the large European beetles from the genus Melolontha that are destructive to vegetation.
Maikäfer
ма́йский жукmájskij žuk, хрущxrušč, шара́нкаšaránka
хрущxrušč, травне́вий жукtravnévyj žuk, травне́вий хрущtravnévyj xrušč
any of various large European beetles destructive to vegetation as both larvae and adult
Any of various other similar beetles, such as of the genera Acrossidius, Cyphochilus, Rhopaea, etc.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From cock (“male bird”) + chafer (“beetle”). The Oxford English Dictionary speculates thatFrom cock (“male bird”) + chafer (“beetle”). The Oxford English Dictionary speculates that the name may relate to a resemblance of antennae to coxcomb, or to the beetle’s size. Compare French hanneton (“cockchafer”), ultimately from Frankish *hanō (“rooster”). First attested in the late 17th century.
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Forms
plural: cockchafers| Singular | cockchafer |
|---|---|
| Plural | cockchafers |
regular
Synonyms
4 synonyms- any of various large European beetles destructive to vegetation as both larvae and adult:May bugMay beetleMelolontha melolontha