Definition of dermestid
: any of a family (Dermestidae) of beetles with clubbed antennae that are very destructive to organic material of animal origin (such as dried meat, wool, or museum specimens)
dermestid
adjectiveIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Origin and Etymology of dermestid
ultimately from Greek dermēstēs, a leather-eating worm, literally, skin eater, from derm- + edmenai to eat — more at eat
First Known Use: circa 1888
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