Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Locust?

\Lo"cust\, n. [L. locusta locust, grasshopper. Cf. {Lobster}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of long-winged, migratory, orthopterous insects, of the family {Acridid[ae]}, allied to the grasshoppers; esp., ({Edipoda, or 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}. Note: 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}. {Locust beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a longicorn beetle ({Cyllene robini[ae]}), 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} (Zo["o]l.) the rose-colored starling or pastor of India. See {Pastor}. {Locust hunter} (Zo["o]l.), an African bird; the beefeater. 2. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.) The locust tree. See {Locust Tree} (definition, note, and phrases). {Locust bean} (Bot.), a commercial name for the sweet pod of the carob tree.