mimic beetle

1 definition found

mimic beetle - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mimic \Mim"ic\, Mimical \Mim"ic*al\, a. [L. mimicus, Gr. ?, fr.
     ? mime: cf. F. mimique. See Mime.]
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     1. Imitative; mimetic.
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              Oft, in her absence, mimic fancy wakes
              To imitate her.                       --Milton.
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              Man is, of all creatures, the most mimical. --W.
                                                    Wotton.
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     2. Consisting of, or formed by, imitation; imitated; as,
        mimic gestures. "Mimic hootings." --Wordsworth.
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     3. (Min.) Imitative; characterized by resemblance to other
        forms; -- applied to crystals which by twinning resemble
        simple forms of a higher grade of symmetry.
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     Note: Mimic often implies something droll or ludicrous, and
           is less dignified than imitative.
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     Mimic beetle (Zool.), a beetle that feigns death when
        disturbed, esp. the species of Hister and allied genera.
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