sexton beetle

sexton beetle
Carrion Car"ri*on, a. Of or pertaining to dead and putrefying carcasses; feeding on carrion. [1913 Webster]

A prey for carrion kites. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Carrion beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any beetle that feeds habitually on dead animals; -- also called {sexton beetle} and {burying beetle}. There are many kinds, belonging mostly to the family {Silphid[ae]}.

{Carrion buzzard} (Zo["o]l.), a South American bird of several species and genera (as {Ibycter}, {Milvago}, and {Polyborus}), which act as scavengers. See {Caracara}.

{Carrion crow}, the common European crow ({Corvus corone}) which feeds on carrion, insects, fruits, and seeds. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Sexton beetle — Sexton Sex ton, n. [OE. sextein, contr. fr. sacristan.] An under officer of a church, whose business is to take care of the church building and the vessels, vestments, etc., belonging to the church, to attend on the officiating clergyman, and to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sexton beetle — Necrophore Nec ro*phore, n. [Gr. nekro s a dead body + fe rein to bear.] (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of numerous species of beetles of the genus {Necrophorus} and allied genera; called also {burying beetle}, {carrion beetle}, {sexton beetle}. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sexton beetle — n. (Zoology) burying beetle, gravedigger, any type of black or black and orange beetles that bury dead mice or the carcasses of small animals …   English contemporary dictionary

  • sexton beetle — noun another term for burying beetle …   English new terms dictionary

  • sexton beetle — noun : burying beetle …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sexton — may refer to:*Sexton (artillery), a self propelled artillery vehicle of World War II *Sexton (office), a church officer charged with the maintenance of the church buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard *Sexton (surname), people with the… …   Wikipedia

  • Sexton — Sex ton, n. [OE. sextein, contr. fr. sacristan.] An under officer of a church, whose business is to take care of the church building and the vessels, vestments, etc., belonging to the church, to attend on the officiating clergyman, and to perform …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sexton — n. a person who looks after a church and churchyard, often acting as bell ringer and gravedigger. Phrases and idioms: sexton beetle any beetle of the genus Necrophorus, burying carrion to serve as a nidus for its eggs. Etymology: ME segerstane… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sexton — n. a person who looks after a church and churchyard, often acting as bell ringer and gravedigger. Phrases and idioms: sexton beetle any beetle of the genus Necrophorus, burying carrion to serve as a nidus for its eggs. Etymology: ME segerstane… …   Useful english dictionary

  • burying beetle — Carrion Car ri*on, a. Of or pertaining to dead and putrefying carcasses; feeding on carrion. [1913 Webster] A prey for carrion kites. Shak. [1913 Webster] {Carrion beetle} (Zo[ o]l.), any beetle that feeds habitually on dead animals; also called… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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