The term "seventeen-year locust" refers to a specific type of insect called a cicada. Here’s a breakdown of its meaning and usage:
Definition:
Seventeen-year locust (noun): A cicada that appears in large numbers every 17 years. The young ones, called nymphs, take a very long time—between 13 to 17 years—to grow up underground before they come out to the surface.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "seventeen-year locust" when talking about this particular cicada species, especially in discussions about nature, life cycles, or periodic events in nature.
Example:
Advanced Usage:
Word Variants:
Different Meaning:
In a metaphorical sense, someone might use "seventeen-year locust" to describe something that happens very infrequently, similar to the cicada's emergence. For instance, "This event is like a seventeen-year locust; we only see it once in a long while."
Synonyms:
While "seventeen-year locust" specifically refers to a cicada, a more general term is simply "cicada." However, there are many species of cicadas, some of which may emerge every year or every few years.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "seventeen-year locust," but you could allude to the rarity of events with phrases like "once in a blue moon," which means something happens very rarely.
Summary:
The "seventeen-year locust" is a fascinating insect that teaches us about patience and the cycles of nature.