Phrase guide

bone collector

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • bōn′ kə-lĕk′tər
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌbəʊ̯n kəˈlɛk.tə/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌbəʊ̯n kəˈlek.tə/
  • Canada, General-American: /ˌboʊ̯n kəˈlɛk.təɹ/
  • Australian, New-Zealand: /ˌbɐʉ̯n kəˈlek.tə/
  • Australian, New-Zealand, also: /ˌbəʉ̯n kəˈlek.tə/
  • Scotland: /ˌbon kəˈlɛk.təɾ/
  • Scotland: /ˌbon kʌˈlɛk.təɾ/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A species of moth in the genus Hyposmocoma endemic to the Waiʻanae Range in Oʻahu, Hawaii.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bone, collector.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

(species of moth in the genus Hyposmocoma): Its caterpillars are noted for their carnivorous diet and for attaching pieces of dead insects to their bodies to serve as camouflage.