jumping bean

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Definitions of jumping bean words

noun jumping bean the seed of any of certain Mexican plants of the genera Sebastiania and Sapium, of the spurge family: the movements of a moth larva inside the seed cause it to move about or jump. 1
noun jumping bean 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 0
noun jumping bean the seed of any of several Mexican plants (esp. genus Sebastiana) of the spurge family, containing the larvae of a small moth (Cydia saltitans), which by its movements makes the seed jump or roll about 0
noun jumping bean A Mexican jumping bean. 0

before 1885

One of the 21% newest English words

An Americanism dating back to 1885-90

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This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 27% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.

According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

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