| 释义 |
cockchafer|ˈkɒkˌtʃeɪfə(r)|
Also -chaffer.
[A compound of chafer or chaffer, beetle, app. of rustic origin; not in the dictionaries till quite recently. (Not in Craig 1847.) Cock is probably prefixed to express size or valour, or in reference to the practice of making these insects fight. Another form is Jeffrey (= chaffer) Cock.]
A coleopterous insect or beetle (Melolontha vulgaris), well known in England and over Europe: it is a stout broad insect of comparatively large size and greyish chestnut colour; it comes forth from the chrysalis towards the end of May (hence called Maybug), and flies with a loud whirring sound. Both the perfect insect and the larva are very destructive to vegetation.
[1691Ray N.C. Words, A Clock, a Beetle or Dor, a Hot⁓chafer.] 1712J. James tr. Le Blond's Gardening 140 May-Bugs..are by some called Chafers, or Cock-Chafers. 1770–4A. Hunter Georg. Ess. (1803) III. 99 There are few insects more prejudicial to the farmer than..the Cock-Chaffer. 1787T. Best Angling (ed. 2) 52 The line..baited with a cock shaver or grasshopper. 1859W. S. Coleman Woodlands 14 The common Cockchafer..is often a terrible enemy to this tree [the Oak]. |