Part 581

2. To finish by subjecting to a hammering process in a beetle or beetling machine; as, to beetle cotton goods.

Bee"tle, n. [OE. bityl, bittle, AS. btel, fr. btan to bite. See Bite, v. t.] Any insect of the order Coleoptera, having four wings, the outer pair being stiff cases for covering the others when they are folded up. See Coleoptera.

Beetle mite (Zoöl.), one of many species of mites, of the family Oribatidæ, parasitic on beetles. -- Black beetle, the common large black cockroach (Blatta orientalis).

Bee"tle, v. i. [See Beetlebrowed.] To extend over and beyond the base or support; to overhang; to jut.

To the dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles o'er his base into the sea. Shak.

Each beetling rampart, and each tower sublime. Wordsworth.

Bee"tle brow` (&?;). An overhanging brow.

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.

The earlier meaning was, "Having bushy or overhanging eyebrows."

Bee"tle*head` (&?;), n. [Beetle a mallet + head.] 1. A stupid fellow; a blockhead. Sir W. Scott.

2. (Zoöl.) The black-bellied plover, or bullhead (Squatarola helvetica). See Plover.

Bee"tle-head`ed (&?;), a. Dull; stupid. Shak.

Bee"tle*stock` (&?;), n. The handle of a beetle.

Beet" rad`ish (&?;). Same as Beetrave.

Beet"rave` (&?;), n. [F. betterave; bette beet + rave radish.] The common beet (Beta vulgaris).

Beeve (&?;), n. [Formed from beeves, pl. of beef.] A beef; a beef creature.

They would knock down the first beeve they met with. W. Irving.

Beeves (bvz), n. plural of Beef, the animal.

Be*fall" (&?;), v. t. [imp. Befell (&?;); p. p. Befallen (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Befalling.] [AS. befeallan; pref. be- + feallan to fall.] To happen to.

I beseech your grace that I may know The worst that may befall me. Shak.

Be*fall", v. i. To come to pass; to happen.

I have revealed . . . the discord which befell. Milton.

Be*fit" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Befitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Befitting.] To be suitable to; to suit; to become.

That name best befits thee. Milton.

Be*fit"ting, a. Suitable; proper; becoming; fitting.

Be*fit"ting*ly, adv. In a befitting manner; suitably.

Be*flat"ter (&?;), v. t. To flatter excessively.

Be*flow"er (&?;), v. t. To besprinkle or scatter over with, or as with, flowers. Hobbes.