What is "cicada"

Cicada \Ci*ca"da\ (s[i^]*k[=a]"d[.a]), n.; pl. E. Cicadas (-d[.a]z), L. Cicad[ae] (-d[=e]). [L.] (Zo["o]l.) Any species of the genus Cicada or of the family Cicadidae. They are large hemipterous insects, with nearly transparent wings. The male makes a shrill sound by peculiar organs in the under side of the abdomen, consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted upon by powerful muscles. A noted American species ( Cicada septendecim) is called the seventeen year locust. Another common species is the dogday cicada.

Syn: cicala. [1913 Webster]

late 14c., from Latin cicada "cicada, tree cricket," not a native Latin word; perhaps a loan-word from a lost Mediterranean language.

n. 1 Any of several insects in the superfamily Cicadoidea, with small eyes wide apart on the head and transparent] well-veined wings. 2 # The periodical cicada.

1. n. stout-bodied insect with large membranous wings; male has drum-like organs for producing a high-pitched drone [syn: cicala]

2. [also: cicadae (pl)]

The cicadas ( or ) are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). They are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, along with smaller jumping bugs such as leafhoppers and froghoppers. It is divided into the Tettigarctidae, with two species in Australia, and Cicadidae, with more than 1,300 species described from around the world; many undescribed species remain.

Cicadas have prominent eyes set wide apart, short antennae, and membranous front wings. They have an exceptionally loud song, produced not by stridulation, but by vibrating drumlike tymbals rapidly. The earliest known fossil Cicadomorpha appeared in the Upper Permian period; extant species occur all around the world in temperate to tropical climates. They typically live in trees, feeding on sap, and laying their eggs in a slit in the bark. Most cicadas are cryptic, singing at night to avoid predators. The periodic cicadas spend most of their lives as underground nymphs, emerging only after 13 or 17 years, which may reduce losses by satiating their predators.

Cicadas have been featured in literature since the time of Homer's Iliad, and as motifs in art from the Chinese Shang dynasty. They have been used in myths and folklore to represent carefree living and immortality. Cicadas are eaten in various countries, including China, where the nymphs are served deep-fried in Shandong cuisine.

Cicada is a superfamily of insects, as well as a genus within that group; Cicada.

Cicada may also refer to:

Cicada are a British electronic music group. Members include producers Aaron Gilbert (a.k.a. Mr. Natural), Alex Payne and several guest vocalists including Tom Smith from Editors, Heidrun Bjornsdottir, Ben Onono, Max Berlin, Bjorn from Pacific! and most recently Fleur East, Megan Quashie, Joel Pott and Shahin Badar

They released several critically acclaimed singles throughout 2005 and 2006, including "The Things You Say", "Cut Right Through" and "Electric Blue". They have also done remixes for Depeche Mode, New Order, Chicane, Dannii Minogue, LeAnn Rimes, Client, Blu Mar Ten and The Veronicas, and many more.

Their debut album, Cicada, was released in summer 2006 on Critical Mass Records.

Their second album Roulette, was released in 2009, and included the songs "Falling Rockets" (which is used in The Big Bang Theory), "Metropolis", "Psycho Thrills" and "One Beat Away".

Cicada's third album "Sunburst" was released in August 2011 and includes the singles "Fast Cars", "Your Love" and "Come Together".

Their song "Don't Stare At the Sun" is used in a commercial for Revlon featuring Jessica Biel.

Cicada is the self-titled debut album from the electronic band Cicada. Released in the UK during summer 2006 on Critical Mass Records, the album contained several songs that the band had released previously as 12-inch singles ("Electric Blue", "Cut Right Through", "The Things You Say").

The album spans various styles of electronic music, including house, electro, downtempo and dub. Upon release Cicada earned positive reviews by music critics.

Cicada lore and mythology is rich and varied as there are c 2500 species of cicada throughout the world, many of which are undescribed and remain a mystery to science. Cicada has been prized as a delicacy, and are famed throughout the world for their song.

The cicada is an ancient polyvalent symbol: resounding themes are resurrection, immortality, spiritual realization and spiritual ecstasy. For the ancient Greeks and Romans they sang in intoxicated ecstasy and were sacred to Apollo and cognate with the dionysiac bacchae and maenad.

Cicada (May 9, 1959 – 1981) was an American Thoroughbred champion racehorse.

The genus Cicada is a group of Old World cicadas.

Cicada is a 2011 album by American blues/ folk/ world fusion/ jazz band Hazmat Modine. The album was released on May 17, 2011 by Barbès Records, almost five years after their debut album, Bahamut.

Beninese musical ensemble Gangbé Brass Band features on two tracks; Natalie Merchant and the Kronos Quartet feature on one each.