periodical cicada
periodical cicada · periodical cicadas
Any of certain species of cicadas, especially in genus Magicicada, which are known for…Any of certain species of cicadas, especially in genus Magicicada, which are known for their 17- and 13-year life-cycles, during most of which they develop underground, emerging in large numbers for a short time as large and audible adults, all those emerging in a year constituting a brood.
Meaning
1 sensesAny of certain species of cicadas, especially in genus Magicicada, which are known for their 17- and 13-year life-cycles, during most of which they develop underground, emerging in large numbers for a short time as large and audible adults, all those emerging in a year constituting a brood.
More definitions
- North American cicada; appears in great numbers at infrequent intervals because the nymphs take 13 to 17 years to mature
Forms
plural: periodical cicadas| Singular | periodical cicada |
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| Plural | periodical cicadas |
regular
Synonyms
2 synonymsClose in meaning
- North American cicada; appears in great numbers at infrequent intervals because the nymphs take 13 to 17 years to mature:seventeen-year locustMagicicada septendecim
Word family
1 related wordsRelatedeclosion