From the book
A Chymical Dictionary
Gerhard Dorn and John French · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordTender green branch tips, rather than insects, are meant here.
- In the bookThe book also gives animal names, such as Macha for a flying worm.
- A place to readThe historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 30; facsimile PDF page 358.
Historical definition
Locustæ are the tips of tree branches while still tender and green.
Meaning
The definition identifies a plant part at a stage of growth. Tenderness and greenness qualify the branch tips, so an old woody end of a branch would omit part of the stated meaning. The plural headword should not be read through the familiar English insect-name locust.
Use in the book
The book also gives animal names, such as Macha for a flying worm. Keeping the assigned definition beside an unfamiliar Latin form prevents a plausible-looking name from moving the reader into the wrong natural category.
Places to read
Source note
Historical source. 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 30; facsimile PDF page 358 — Facsimile
Sources. A Chymical Dictionary 1650, 1650 dictionary, facsimile PDF page 358, Locustæ