Definitions
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Etymologies
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Examples
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Histeridae) which take possession of the moist interior of their stems.
The Western World Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North and South America William Henry Giles Kingston 1847
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Histeridae (clown beetles) can be found on corpses, too, but these often eat other insects rather than the body itself.)
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Histeridae (clown beetles) can be found on corpses, too, but these often eat other insects rather than the body itself.)
ruzuzu commented on the word Histeridae
"Histeridae was named by Leonard Gyllenhaal. Histeridae has two common names, the “Clown” beetle and the “Hister” beetle. There have been several theories explaining the origin of these common names. One theory for the “Hister” nickname comes from the work of Juvenal, a Roman poet. Juvenal used the word “hister” to mean a dirty, lowly being. Another theory for the origin of this beetle's name stems from the fact that in Latin, “hister” means actor. Many people believe the name is associated with the Hister beetles’ ability to imitate death when they are disturbed. Still, some believe this family of beetles was named for its physical characteristics. The Clown beetle has flattened legs, which can be compared to a clown’s flat shoes or loose-fitting pants."
--http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Histeridae&oldid=496413573
July 19, 2012