Locust

Lo"cust

(?), n. [L. locusta locust, grasshopper. Cf. Lobster.] 1. (Zol.) Any one of numerous species of long-winged, migratory, orthopterous insects, of the family Acridid, allied to the grasshoppers; esp., (Edipoda migratoria, syn. Pachytylus migratoria, and Acridium perigrinum, of Southern Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the United States the related species with similar habits are usually called grasshoppers. See Grasshopper.
[1913 Webster]

These insects are at times so numerous in Africa and the south of Asia as to devour every green thing; and when they migrate, they fly in an immense cloud. In the United States the harvest flies are improperly called locusts. See Cicada.
[1913 Webster]

Locust beetle (Zol.), a longicorn beetle (Cyllene robini), which, in the larval state, bores holes in the wood of the locust tree. Its color is brownish black, barred with yellow. Called also locust borer. -- Locust bird (Zol.) the rose-colored starling or pastor of India. See Pastor. -- Locust hunter (Zol.), an African bird; the beefeater.
[1913 Webster]

2. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.) The locust tree. See Locust Tree (definition, note, and phrases).
[1913 Webster]

Locust bean (Bot.), a commercial name for the sweet pod of the carob tree.
[1913 Webster]

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Wed 19th June 2013