1. a large dung beetle, especially one regarded as sacred in ancient Egypt
Usage: formal; entomological

Examples

• The ancient Egyptians considered the scarabaeus a symbol of rebirth.
• Archaeologists found scarabaeus amulets in the tomb.
• The scarabaeus rolls balls of dung across the desert sand.
• Museum visitors admired the golden scarabaeus jewelry.
• The entomologist studied the behavior of the scarabaeus beetle.
• Sacred scarabaeus images decorated the pharaoh’s sarcophagus.