‖ pyˈrausta Obs. rare.
[L. (Pliny = pyralis), ad. Gr. πῡραύστης a moth that gets singed in the flame; in obs. F. pirauste (Cotgr. 1611).]
A fabulous insect supposed to live in fire.
| 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. vi. 1121 So of the fire in burning furnace springs The fly Pyrausta with the flaming wings. 1706 Phillips (ed. 6), Pyrausta or Pyrogonus, the Fire-Fly or Salamander-Fly; an Insect. |