The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pill \Pill\, n. [F. pilute, L. pilula a pill, little ball, dim. of L. pila a ball. Cf. Piles.]
A medicine in the form of a little ball, or small round mass, to be swallowed whole.
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Figuratively, something offensive or nauseous which must be accepted or endured.
--Udall.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.
Wiktionary
n. (cx US English) Any of very many terrestrial crustaceans, of the family Armadillidiidae, including the woodlice, that can roll themselves up into a protective ball.
WordNet
n. small terrestrial isopod with a convex segmented body that can roll up into a ball
Usage examples of "pill bug".
Indeed, that Shep had not panicked at the motel, that he had not curled up like a defensive pill bug and had not shaken with spasms of apprehension when he'd seen the burning Coupe DeVille, that he hadn't squealed and pulled his hair at some point during Dylan's reckless drive to Marjorie's house -- these were great wonders if not miracles of self-control compared to his customary behavior when confronted by the more mundane agitations of daily life.
Indeed, that Shep had not panicked at the motel, that he had not curled up like a defensive pill bug and had not shaken with spasms of apprehension when he'd seen the burning Coupe DeVille, that he hadn't squealed and pulled his hair at some point during Dylan's reckless drive to Marjorie's house - these were great wonders if not miracles of self-control compared to his customary behavior when confronted by the more mundane agitations of daily life.
Curling down after it, she rolled up like a pill bug, her arms covering her ears, hands clasped over the back of her neck, knees pulled up to protect her more vulnerable parts.
The giant pill bug had all the agility of a terrestrial beetle but, luckily, had the reaction speed of a slug.
A mug wants to come in here, take the vows, he should come because he wants to open himself to somethin' bigger than the world, not because he wants to close himself up in a little ball like a pill bug.