Karabos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term referring to a type of ancient Greek galley equipped with both sails and oars ; a genus of ground beetles in entomology distinguished by their robust form
2. Designating a particular class of Greek rowing vessel used in antiquity ; referring to a group of hardy ground beetles within scientific classification
3. Describes an early Greek warship propelled by oars and sails ; also the name for a strong-bodied beetle genus studied in biological taxonomy

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "karabos" meant a crab or crayfish, and it was also used for a beetle with hard, shell-like wing covers. The same word named a light, fast rowing vessel. The reason for the ship name is uncertain: it may refer to the vessel's shape, its speed, or its low profile on the water. Modern science revived the term for a group of beetles. Linnaeus used the Greek word as the basis for the genus "Carabus", and the family of ground beetles, Carabidae, takes its name from that genus. Their hard, armoured bodies are the likely link to the older crustacean and beetle senses.