Hypertext Webster Gateway: "cicadas"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cicada \Ci*ca"da\ (s[i^]*k[=a]"d[.a]), n.; pl. E. {Cicadas}
(-d[.a]z), L. {Cicad[ae]} (-d[=e]). [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of the genus {Cicada}. They are large hemipterous
insects, with nearly transparent wings. The male makes a
shrill sound by peculiar organs in the under side of the
abdomen, consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted
upon by powerful muscles. A noted American species ({C.
septendecim}) is called the {seventeen year locust}. Another
common species is the {dogday cicada}.
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