doodlebug

A noun with multiple meanings: a small motor vehicle; a small jet-propelled winged missile that carries a bomb; or the larva of any of several insects.

• 🇫🇷Nom avec plusieurs sens : un petit véhicule motorisé ; un petit missile ailé à réaction portant une bombe ; ou la larve de certains insectes.

1. Small motor vehicle C1 informal british

   A small, often simple motor vehicle, sometimes used for short trips or as a runabout.

   • He drove his old doodlebug to the village market.
   • The mechanic fixed the engine of the little doodlebug.
   • They used a doodlebug to get around the countryside.

   🇫🇷petite voiture utilitaire

   Synonymes: runabout

2. Jet-propelled missile C1 formal british technical

   A small, jet-propelled winged missile that carries a bomb, historically used in warfare.

   • The doodlebug was a terrifying weapon during the war.
   • Historians study the impact of the doodlebug on civilian life.
   • The museum displayed a replica of the doodlebug missile.

   🇫🇷Engin volant autopropulsé (bombe volante)

   Synonymes: buzz bombflying bomb

3. Insect larva C1 informal american scientific

   The larva of certain insects, such as the antlion or other small creatures.

   • The doodlebug digs a small pit in the sand to trap ants.
   • Children watched the doodlebug move backwards into its hole.
   • The doodlebug is often found in dry, sandy areas.

   🇫🇷Larve d'insecte (fourmilion, etc.)

   Synonymes: ant lionantlion

• doodlebugs plural form
• doodlebugs' possessive plural form
• doodlebug's possessive singular form