Pill bug

Pill bug
Pill Pill, n. [F. pilute, L. pilula a pill, little ball, dim. of L. pila a ball. Cf. {Piles}.] 1. A medicine in the form of a little ball, or small round mass, to be swallowed whole. [1913 Webster]

2. Figuratively, something offensive or nauseous which must be accepted or endured. --Udall. [1913 Webster]

{Pill beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any small beetle of the genus {Byrrhus}, having a rounded body, with the head concealed beneath the thorax.

{Pill bug} (Zo["o]l.), any terrestrial isopod of the genus {Armadillo}, having the habit of rolling itself into a ball when disturbed. Called also {pill wood louse}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • pill bug — pill′ bug n. ent any of various small terrestrial isopods, esp. of the genera Armadillidium and Oniscus, that can roll themselves up into a spherical shape • Etymology: 1835–45, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • pill bug — ☆ pill bug n. any of various isopods capable of rolling up into a ball, as a common species (Armadillidium vulgare) found in damp places …   English World dictionary

  • pill bug — any of various small terrestrial isopods, esp. of the genera Armadillidium and Oniscus, which can roll themselves up into a spherical shape. [1835 45, Amer.] * * * Any species of terrestrial crustacean in the genera Armadillidium and Armadillo… …   Universalium

  • pill bug — noun small terrestrial isopod with a convex segmented body that can roll up into a ball • Hypernyms: ↑woodlouse, ↑slater • Member Holonyms: ↑Armadillidium, ↑genus Armadillidium * * * noun : wood louse 1 …   Useful english dictionary

  • pill-bug — /ˈpɪl bʌg/ (say pil bug) noun a terrestrial isopod or woodlouse (genus Armadillidium) of Britain and Europe, capable of rolling itself into a ball …  

  • pill bug — noun Etymology: 2pill; from its rolling into a ball when disturbed Date: 1843 wood louse; especially a wood louse capable of curling itself into a ball …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pill bug — noun Any of very many terrestrial crustaceans, of the family Armadillidiidae, including the woodlice, that can roll themselves up into a protective ball Syn: roly poly …   Wiktionary

  • pill bug —   Pokipoki …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • Bug — (b[u^]g), n. [OE. bugge, fr. W. bwg, bwgan, hobgoblin, scarecrow, bugbear. Cf. {Bogey}, {Boggle}.] 1. A bugbear; anything which terrifies. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would fright me with I seek. Shak. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bug word — Bug Bug (b[u^]g), n. [OE. bugge, fr. W. bwg, bwgan, hobgoblin, scarecrow, bugbear. Cf. {Bogey}, {Boggle}.] 1. A bugbear; anything which terrifies. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would fright me with I seek. Shak …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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