The Collaborative International Dictionary
Scarab \Scar"ab\, Scarabee \Scar"a*bee\, n. [L. scarabaeus; cf. F. scarab['e]e.]
(Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of lamellicorn beetles of the genus Scarab[ae]us, or family Scarab[ae]id[ae], especially the sacred, or Egyptian, species ( Scarab[ae]us sacer, and Scarab[ae]us Egyptiorum).
(Egyptian Arch[ae]ology, Jewelry) A stylized representation of a scarab beetle carved in stone or faience, or made in baked clay, usually in a conventionalized form in which the beetle has its legs held closely at its sides, and commonly having an inscription on the flat underside; -- a symbol of resurrection, used by the ancient Egyptians as an ornament or a talisman, and in modern times used in jewelry, usually by engraving the formalized scarab design on cabuchon stones. Also used attributively; as, a scarab bracelet [a bracelet containing scarabs]; a ring with a scarab [the carved stone itelf].
Wiktionary
n. (context archaic English) A beetle
Usage examples of "scarabee".
As he spoke, he opened a small cupboard, and as he did so out bolted an uninvited tenant of the same, long in person, sable in hue, and swift of movement, on seeing which the Scarabee simply said, without emotion, blatta, but I, forgetting what was due to good manners, exclaimed cockroach!
He wants a visible image to fix his thought, a scarabee or a crux ansata, or the modern symbols which are to our own time what these were to the ancient Egyptians.
The insect population of the world is not even catalogued yet, and a lifetime given to the scarabees is a small contribution enough to their study.
As he spoke, he opened a small cupboard, and as he did so out bolted an uninvited tenant of the same, long in person, sable in hue, and swift of movement, on seeing which the Scarabee simply said, without emotion, blatta, but I, forgetting what was due to good manners, exclaimed cockroach!
The poor little Scarabee began fidgeting round about this time, and uttering some half-audible words, apologetical, partly, and involving an allusion to refreshments.
Had he not made preparations of the very coleoptera the Scarabee studied so exclusively,--preparations which the illustrious Swammerdam would not have been ashamed of, and dissected a melolontha as exquisitely as Strauss Durckheim himself ever did it?