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: any of various scarab beetles (such as a cockchafer) that feed on leaves and flowers and whose larvae feed on plant roots
Examples of chafer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many other turf-destroying grubs, such as Japanese beetles and chafers, also are large white grubs.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2024
Both male and female black chafer beetles hide underground during the day and emerge every second night to search for food and a mate.
—Andrew Chapman, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Future work will untangle what drives this cycle in black chafer beetles and how the genes regulate their timing.
—Andrew Chapman, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
May or June beetles: These beetles which are also called chafer beetles, are attracted to lights, according to the insect calendar.
—Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 4 May 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English cheaffer, from Old English ceafor; probably akin to Old English ceafl jowl — more at jowl entry 2
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of chafer was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing chafer
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Cite this Entry
“Chafer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chafer. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
chafer
noun
cha·fer
ˈchā-fər
: any of various large beetles
More from Merriam-Webster on chafer
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chafer
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