%cricke%

n. [ OE. criket, OF. crequet, criquet; prob. of German origin, and akin to E. creak; cf. D. kriek a cricket. See Creak. ] (Zool.) An orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllus, and allied genera. The males make chirping, musical notes by rubbing together the basal parts of the veins of the front wings. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The common European cricket is Gryllus domesticus; the common large black crickets of America are Gryllus niger, Gryllus neglectus, and others. [ 1913 Webster ]

Balm cricket. See under Balm. --
Cricket bird, a small European bird (Silvia locustella); -- called also grasshopper warbler. --
Cricket frog, a small American tree frog (Acris gryllus); -- so called from its chirping. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. cricc, crycc, crooked staff, crutch. Perh. first used in sense 1, a stool probably having been first used as a wicket. See Crutch. ] 1. A low stool. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A game much played in England, and sometimes in America, with a ball, bats, and wickets, the players being arranged in two contesting parties or sides. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Arch.) A small false roof, or the raising of a portion of a roof, so as to throw off water from behind an obstacle, such as a chimney. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who plays at cricket. [ 1913 Webster ]