seventeen-year locust
[ sev-uh n-teen-yeer ]
/ ˈsɛv ənˈtinˌyɪər /
noun
a cicada, Magicicada septendecim, of the eastern U.S., having nymphs that live in the soil, usually emerging in great numbers after 17 years in the North or 13 years in the South.
Also called
periodical cicada.
Origin of seventeen-year locust
First recorded in 1810–20
Words nearby seventeen-year locust
sevener,
sevenfold,
sevenpenny,
sevens,
seventeen,
seventeen-year locust,
seventeenth,
seventeenth amendment,
seventh,
seventh amendment,
seventh avenue
British Dictionary definitions for seventeen-year locust
seventeen-year locust
noun
an E North American cicada, Magicicada septendecim, appearing in great numbers at infrequent intervals because its nymphs take 13 or 17 years to mature
Also called: periodical cicada