from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Locust \Lo"cust\, n. [L. locusta locust, grasshopper. Cf.
{Lobster}.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of long-winged,
migratory, orthopterous insects, of the family
{Acridid[ae]}, 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]
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}.
[1913 Webster]
{Locust beetle} (Zool.), 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} (Zool.) the rose-colored starling or pastor of
India. See {Pastor}.
{Locust hunter} (Zool.), 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]