Clerid

/ˈklɛrɪd/ noun

Definition

An insect of the family Cleridae, commonly known as checkered beetles or bark beetles.

Etymology

From the family name Cleridae (coined from Greek klēr-, meaning 'inheritance' or 'lot') plus -id (a common suffix for family names in zoology). These beetles were named using Greek root words typical of Linnaean taxonomy.

Kelly Says

The jump from 'cleric' to 'clerid' (beetle) is wild—they're completely unrelated words, but 'clerid' comes from the taxonomic family Cleridae, which itself has a mysterious Greek etymology about inheritance or fate.

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