English Explanatory Dictionary

ladybird

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any of the Coccinellidae family of beetles, typically having a round shape and red or yellow spotted elytra.

Pronunciation

/ˈleɪ.di.bəːd/ /ˈleɪ.di.bɝd/ en-us-ladybird.ogg

Word forms

ladybird ladybirds lady-bird

Etymology

From lady + bird, the “lady” here referring to the Virgin Mary, Jesus’ mother. Compare German Marienkäfer (literally “Mary beetle/bug”), Danish mariehøne, Latvian mārīte, Macedonian бубамара (bubamara) and Spanish mariquita. Also compare damselfly.

Synonyms

ladybug lady beetle ladycow lady fly bishy barnabee

Derived words

harlequin ladybird ladybird beetle ladybird spider large leaf-eating ladybird yellow-shouldered ladybird
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