| Jumping | p. a. & vb. n. of Jump, to leap. [ 1913 Webster ]
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 (Zool.), a South African rodent (Pedetes Caffer), allied to the jerboa. --
Jumping louse (Zool.), any of the numerous species of plant lice belonging to the family Psyllidæ, several of which are injurious to fruit trees. --
Jumping mouse (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), gray mullet. --
Jumping shrew (Zool.), any African insectivore of the genus Macroscelides. They are allied to the shrews, but have large hind legs adapted for jumping. --
Jumping spider (Zool.), spider of the genus Salticus and other related genera; one of the Saltigradæ; -- so called because it leaps upon its prey. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Jumping jack | . 1. A toy figure of a man, jointed and made to jump or dance by means of strings or sticks attached to it. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A calisthenic exercise in which a person starts in a standing position with both feet together and with the arms at the sides, then leaps into the air while moving the arms outward and upward so that the hands touch above the head, and then returns to the original position by reversing the motion of legs and hands. [ PJC ] |
