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death's-head moth

noun

  1. a European hawk moth, Acherontia atropos, having markings on the back of the thorax that resemble a human skull.


death's-head moth

noun

  1. a European hawk moth, Acherontia atropos, having markings resembling a human skull on its upper thorax
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of death's-head moth1

First recorded in 1775–85
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Example Sentences

The brush of a death's-head moth against a cold black screen.

And you won't do that by dressing yourself like a dingy death's-head moth!

In districts where the hideous death's-head moth abounds, the bees erect little columns of wax at the entrance of the hive, and place them so closely together that the night-thief cannot pass through.

It is comparable with the skull and crossbones on the back of the death's-head moth.

When I opened the door of the morning room the death's-head moth was beating its strong wings against the window.

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