locust

 
Pronunciation: /ˈləʊkəst/

noun

  • 1a large, mainly tropical grasshopper with strong powers of flight. It is usually solitary, but from time to time there is a population explosion and it migrates in vast swarms which cause extensive damage to vegetation.
    • Several species in the family Acrididae, including the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)
  • (also seventeen-year locust) US the periodical cicada.
  • 2 (also locust bean) the large edible pod of some plants of the pea family, in particular the carob bean, which is said to resemble a locust.
  • 3 (also locust tree) a carob tree, false acacia, or similar pod-bearing tree of the pea family.

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French locuste from Latin locusta 'locust, crustacean'