ˈshard-born, -borne, a.
[f. shard n.2 + born a.]
a. Of a beetle: Born in dung; spec. applied to the shard-beetle (see shard n.2 b). b. Used with the meaning (due to misinterpretation of Shakes.): Borne on shards (shard n.4).
| 1605 Shakes. Macb. iii. ii. 42 Ere to black Heccats summons The shard-borne Beetle, with his drowsie hums, Hath rung Nights yawning Peale. 1830 Scott Doom Devorgoil i. i, This was a shard-born beetle, heavy, drossy. 1843 Carpenter Anim. Phys. xii. 443 The Dung or Shard-borne Beetle. 1859 Ld. Lytton Wanderer (ed. 2) 23 The advancing twilight's shard-born trumpeter. |