Sexton beetle

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 perform other duties pertaining to the church, such as to dig graves, ring the bell, etc. [1913 Webster]

{Sexton beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a burying beetle. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • 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… …   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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