%ricket%

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 ]

(Zool.) The mole cricket. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Perhaps so called from the state of his horns. See Prick, and cf. Brocket. ] (Zool.) A buck in his second year. See Note under 3d Buck. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Rickety. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. [ Of uncertain origin; but cf. AS. wrigian to bend, D. wrikken to shake, E. wriggle. ] (Med.) A disease which affects children, and which is characterized by a bulky head, crooked spine and limbs, depressed ribs, enlarged and spongy articular epiphyses, tumid abdomen, and short stature, together with clear and often premature mental faculties. The essential cause of the disease appears to be the nondeposition of earthy salts in the osteoid tissues. Children afflicted with this malady stand and walk unsteadily. Called also rachitis. [ 1913 Webster ]