jumping bean

jump·ing bean (jmpng)

n.

A seed, as of certain Mexican plants of the genera Sebastiana and Sapium, containing the larva of the moth Laspeyresia saltitans, whose movements cause the seed to jerk or roll.

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jumping bean

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) a seed of any of several Mexican euphorbiaceous plants, esp species of Sebastiania, that contains a moth caterpillar whose movements cause it to jerk about

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

jumping bean - seed of Mexican shrubs of the genus Sebastiana containing the larva of a moth whose movements cause the bean to jerk or tumble jumping seed, Mexican jumping bean genus Sebastiana, Sebastiana - Mexican spurges seed - a small hard fruit