scar·ab 
(skărəb)
(skărəb)n.
1. Any of numerous beetles of the family Scarabaeidae; a scarabaeid.
2. The scarabaeid beetle Scarabaeus sacer, regarded as sacred by the ancient Egyptians.
3. A representation of this beetle, such as a ceramic or stone sculpture or a cut gem, used in ancient Egypt as a talisman and a symbol of the soul. Also called scarabaeus.
[French scarabée, from Latin scarabaeus, from Greek kārabos, spiny lobster, longhorn beetle.]