Grass"-grown` (?), a. Overgrown with grass; as, a grass-grown road.
Grass"hop`per (?), n. 1. (Zoˆl.) Any jumping, orthopterous insect, of
the families AcrididÊ and LocustidÊ. The species and genera are very
numerous. The former family includes the Western grasshopper or locust
(Caloptenus spretus), noted for the great extent of its ravages in the
region beyond the Mississippi. In the Eastern United States the
red-legged (Caloptenus femurrubrum and C. atlanis) are closely related
species, but their ravages are less important. They are closely related
to the migratory locusts of the Old World. See Locust.
The meadow or green grasshoppers belong to the LocustidÊ. They have
long antennÊ, large ovipositors, and stridulating organs at the base of
the wings in the male. The European great green grasshopper (Locusta
viridissima) belongs to this family. The common American green species
mostly belong to Xiphidium, Orchelimum, and Conocephalus.
2. In ordinary square or upright pianos of London make, the escapement
lever or jack, so made that it can be taken out and replaced with the
key; -- called also the hopper. Grove.
Grasshopper engine, a steam engine having a working beam with its
fulcrum at one end, the steam cylinder at the other end, and the
connecting rod at an intermediate point. -- Grasshopper lobster (Zoˆl.)
a young lobster. [Local, U. S.] -- Grasshopper warbler (Zoˆl.), cricket
bird.
Grass"i*ness (?), n. [From Grassy.] The state of abounding with grass;
a grassy state.
Grass"less, a. Destitute of grass.
Grass"plot` (?), n. A plot or space covered with grass; a lawn. "Here
on this grassplot." Shak.
Grass" tree" (?). (Bot.) (a) An Australian plant of the genus
Xanthorrhúa, having a thick trunk crowned with a dense tuft of
pendulous, grasslike leaves, from the center of which arises a long
stem, bearing at its summit a dense flower spike looking somewhat like
a large cat-tail. These plants are often called "blackboys" from the
large trunks denuded and blackened by fire. They yield two kinds of
fragrant resin, called Botany-bay gum, and Gum Acaroides. (b) A similar
Australian plant (Kingia australis).
Grass"y (?) a. 1. Covered with grass; abounding with grass; as, a
grassy lawn. Spenser.