locust
/ˈləʊkəst/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈləʊkəst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlō-kəst/ (ame, mw)
locust — noun
1. A plant-eating creature related to grasshoppers, found in warm regions of the wo
A plant-eating creature related to grasshoppers, found in warm regions of the world, that forms enormous swarms which strip fields of crops and other plants.
A swarm of locusts destroyed the wheat fields in Kenya last summer.
collocation: swarm of locusts
Farmers used drones to track where the locusts were moving across the plain.
The locust plague ate every green leaf in the village for miles around.
After two dry months, locust numbers exploded across the Rift Valley and threatened local food supplies.
- grasshopper
Grasshopper is the broader category; 'locust' refers specifically to certain grasshopper species that change behaviour and form swarms under crowded conditions.
文法句型
plural noun (locusts) when referring to the insects as a group
attributive noun before another noun (locust plague, locust swarm)
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'locusts' when referring to the insects collectively as a swarm or population. The singular can be used attributively before another noun (e.g. 'locust plague', 'locust swarm'). The phrase 'a plague of locusts' is a common biblical and historical reference.
常見錯誤
2. A fast-growing hardwood tree from the legume family, such as the black locust or
A fast-growing hardwood tree from the legume family, such as the black locust or honey locust, often planted for timber, fence posts, or shade.
The garden was shaded by a large locust tree with feathery leaves.
collocation: locust tree
Hamza planted a row of locust trees along the driveway for quick shade.
Black locust wood is hard and resists rot, so farmers use it for fence posts.
The villagers planted honey locust trees along the field borders for natural fencing.
文法句型
often used with a modifier: black locust, honey locust
can be used as an attributive noun: locust tree
用法筆記
The term 'locust tree' covers several species (black locust, honey locust) from the legume family (Fabaceae). All share compound leaves and produce hard, durable wood. The tree is unrelated to the insect of the same name.
3. The strong, durable timber obtained from locust trees, valued for outdoor use su
The strong, durable timber obtained from locust trees, valued for outdoor use such as fencing, decking, and garden furniture because it resists decay naturally.
The carpenter chose locust for the outdoor bench because it lasts for decades.
material use: locust for [object]
Fence posts made of locust resist rot for over twenty years without treatment.
Decks built from locust stay solid for many years without chemical treatments.
The park installed locust benches that can handle rain, sun, and snow.
文法句型
used as a material noun: made of locust
used attributively: locust lumber, locust posts