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leaf-cutting ant

American

[leef-kuht-ing] / ˈlifˌkʌt ɪŋ /

noun

any of several tropical American ants of the genus Atta that cut and chew bits of leaves and flowers into a mash that they use to cultivate a fungus garden.

Etymology

Origin of leaf-cutting ant

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

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leaf-cutting ant

A case of mimicry where a homopterous resembles a leaf-cutting ant 332 117.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by Romanes, George John

Gerilleau abandoned his old themes almost suddenly, and the Portuguese lieutenant became a conversational figure; he knew something about the leaf-cutting ant, and expanded his knowledge.

From The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023