Beetle-browed

Beetle-browed
Beetle-browed Bee"tle-browed`, a. [OE. bitelbrowed; cf. OE. bitel, adj., sharp, projecting, n., a beetle. See {Beetle} an insect.] Having prominent, overhanging brows; hence, lowering or sullen. [1913 Webster]

Note: The earlier meaning was, ``Having bushy or overhanging eyebrows.'' [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • beetle-browed — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ having prominent or bushy eyebrows. ORIGIN origin uncertain …   English terms dictionary

  • beetle-browed — [bēt′ l broud΄] adj. [ME bitelbrouwed < ? bitel, sharp, cruel + brouwe,BROW] 1. having bushy or overhanging eyebrows 2. frowning; scowling …   English World dictionary

  • beetle-browed — adjective sullen or unfriendly in appearance • Syn: ↑scowling • Similar to: ↑unfriendly * * * /beet l browd /, adj. 1. having heavy projecting eyebrows. 2. scowling or sullen. [1325 75; ME bitel browed, prob. with …   Useful english dictionary

  • beetle browed — Synonyms and related words: beetle, beetling, black, black browed, dark, dejected, dour, dumpish, frowning, glowering, glum, grim, grum, impendent, impending, incumbent, jutting, lowering, melancholy, moodish, moody, mopey, moping, mopish, morose …   Moby Thesaurus

  • beetle-browed — /beet l browd /, adj. 1. having heavy projecting eyebrows. 2. scowling or sullen. [1325 75; ME bitel browed, prob. with bitel sharp( edged), OE *bitel (see BEETLE1); see BROW, ED3] * * * …   Universalium

  • beetle-browed — /ˈbitl braʊd/ (say beetl browd) adjective 1. having heavy projecting eyebrows. 2. scowling; sullen. {Middle English bitel browed, from bitel biting + brow + ed3. See beetle1} …  

  • beetle-browed — adjective making an unfriendly or sullen face …   Wiktionary

  • beetle browed — Meaning With a furrowed brow or worried expression. Origin Beetles have prominent head casings that give the appearance of a prominent forehead …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • beetle browed — having bushy dark and messy eyebrows; frowning; unfriendly in appearance …   English contemporary dictionary

  • beetle — beetle1 [bēt′ l] n. [ME bitil < OE bitela < bītan, BITE] 1. any of a large order (Coleoptera) of insects, including weevils, with biting mouthparts and hard front wings (elytra) that cover the membranous hind wings when the hind wings are… …   English World dictionary

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