jumping bean : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: jumping bean	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for jumping bean
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
jumping bean n seed of Mexican shrubs of the genus Sebastiana containing the larva of a moth whose movements cause the bean to jerk or tumble Synonym(s): jumping bean, jumping seed, Mexican jumping bean
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Jumping \Jump"ing\, p. a. & vb. n. of {Jump}, to leap. {Jumping bean}, a seed of a Mexican {Euphorbia}, containing the larva of a moth ({Carpocapsa saltitans}). The larva by its sudden movements causes the seed to roll to roll and jump about. {Jumping deer} (Zo[94]l.), a South African rodent ({Pedetes Caffer}), allied to the jerboa. {Jumping jack}, a toy figure of a man, jointed and made to jump or dance by means of strings. {Jumping louse} (Zo[94]l.), any of the numerous species of plant lice belonging to the family {Psyllid[91]}, several of which are injurious to fruit trees. {Jumping mouse} (Zo[94]l.), North American mouse ({Zapus Hudsonius}), having a long tail and large hind legs. It is noted for its jumping powers. Called also {kangaroo mouse}. {Jumping mullet} (Zo[94]l.), gray mullet. {Jumping shrew} (Zo[94]l.), any African insectivore of the genus {Macroscelides}. They are allied to the shrews, but have large hind legs adapted for jumping. {Jumping spider} (Zo[94]l.), spider of the genus {Salticus} and other related genera; one of the Saltigrad[91]; -- so called because it leaps upon its prey.