Mole cricket

Mole cricket
Mole Mole, n. [OE. molle, either shortened fr. moldwerp, or from the root of E. mold soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See {Moldwarp}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any insectivore of the family {Talpid[ae]}. They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large and strong fore feet. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common European mole, or moldwarp ({Talpa Europ[ae]a}), is noted for its extensive burrows. The common American mole, or shrew mole ({Scalops aquaticus}), and star-nosed mole ({Condylura cristata}) have similar habits. [1913 Webster]

Note: In the Scriptures, the name is applied to two unindentified animals, perhaps the chameleon and mole rat. [1913 Webster]

2. A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground drains. [U.S.] [1913 Webster]

3. (fig.)A spy who lives for years an apparently normal life (to establish a cover) before beginning his spying activities. [PJC]

{Duck mole}. See under {Duck}.

{Golden mole}. See {Chrysochlore}.

{Mole cricket} (Zo["o]l.), an orthopterous insect of the genus {Gryllotalpa}, which excavates subterranean galleries, and throws up mounds of earth resembling those of the mole. It is said to do damage by injuring the roots of plants. The common European species ({Gryllotalpa vulgaris}), and the American ({Gryllotalpa borealis}), are the best known.

{Mole rat} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Old World rodents of the genera {Spalax}, {Georychus}, and several allied genera. They are molelike in appearance and habits, and their eyes are small or rudimentary.

{Mole shrew} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of short-tailed American shrews of the genus {Blarina}, esp. {Blarina brevicauda}.

{Water mole}, the duck mole. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • mole cricket — n. any of a family (Gryllotalpidae) of crickets having large front legs specialized for burrowing, and feeding chiefly on roots …   English World dictionary

  • Mole cricket — This article is about the mole cricket species. For the character of the same name, see Mother 3. Mole cricket Gryllotalpa brachyptera, Victoria, Australia Scientific classification …   Wikipedia

  • mole cricket — any of several burrowing crickets of the family Gryllotalpidae that have fossorial forelegs and that feed on the roots of plants. [1705 15] * * * ▪ insect  any of about 65 species of insects (order Orthoptera) that are sometimes placed in the… …   Universalium

  • mole cricket — noun a large burrowing nocturnal cricket like insect. [Family Gryllotalpidae: many species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • mole-cricket — n. Churr worm, jarr worm, eve churr, earth crab, fen cricket (Gryllotalpa vulgaris) …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • mole cricket — /ˈmoʊl krɪkət/ (say mohl krikuht) noun any burrowing insect of the family Gryllotalpidae, brown in colour, related to the true cricket, but with front claws adapted for digging in order to eat the roots of grasses and other plants …  

  • mole cricket — noun digs in moist soil and feeds on plant roots • Hypernyms: ↑cricket …   Useful english dictionary

  • mole cricket — noun Date: 1714 any of a family (Gryllotalpidae) of widely distributed orthopteran insects that have broad front legs adapted for digging in moist soil and that feed largely on the roots of plants …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mole cricket — noun Any of various large insects from the family Gryllotalpidae that burrow into moist soil and feed on plant roots …   Wiktionary

  • Operation Mole Cricket 19 — Part of the 1982 Lebanon War …   Wikipedia

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