leaf-cutting ant

[ leef-kuht-ing ]

/ ˈlifˌkʌt ɪŋ /

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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.

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Origin of leaf-cutting ant

First recorded in 1870–75

Words nearby leaf-cutting ant

leaf butterfly, leaf-climber, leaf coral, leafcutter ant, leafcutter bee, leaf-cutting ant, leaf-cutting bee, leafed, leaf fat, leaf-footed bug, leaf gap

How to use leaf-cutting ant in a sentence

Still, he’s intrigued, and plans to investigate similar coatings he’s seen on other leaf-cutting ants.
Mineral body armor helps some leaf-cutting ants win fights with bigger kin|Christie Wilcox|November 24, 2020|Science News
The discovery was serendipitous, says Currie, of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who has been studying leaf-cutting ants for more than 20 years.
Mineral body armor helps some leaf-cutting ants win fights with bigger kin|Christie Wilcox|November 24, 2020|Science News
Not to be left behind, progressives in neighboring Wisconsin clamored to join the cutting edge of public health.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Instead of just cutting out whole food groups, Bacon says people should pay attention to how food makes them feel.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Lay the butterflied pork loin on the cutting board with the fat cap facing down.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries|Carla Hall|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had a special knife designed to cut the dense loaf, and a ceremony to precede cutting the cake.
One Cake to Rule Them All: How Stollen Stole Our Hearts|Molly Hannon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, that means suppressing fire or cutting down all the pretty uninfected trees can cause mistletoe outbreaks.
Mistletoe is the Vampire of Plants|Helen Thompson|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Newbolt was cutting splints for her new sun-bonnet out of a pasteboard box.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
"It is good to pray here," she said, in a tone the mildness and sincerity of which made the reproach more cutting.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
Not a zephyr ruffled the leaf of a rose, and a soft breathing fragrance bathed his reposing senses.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Hitherto, I have not given the subject much consideration, but I turn over a new leaf from the date of this adventure.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Instead of cutting new works, page by page, people cut them altogether!
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various