Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Lobster \Lob"ster\, n. [AS. loppestre, lopystre prob., corrupted
fr. L. locusta a marine shellfish, a kind of lobster, a
locust. Cf. {Locust}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any large macrurous crustacean used as food, esp. those of
the genus {Homarus}; as the American lobster ({H.
Americanus}), and the European lobster ({H. vulgaris}). The
Norwegian lobster ({Nephrops Norvegicus}) is similar in form.
All these have a pair of large unequal claws. The spiny
lobsters of more southern waters, belonging to {Palinurus},
{Panulirus}, and allied genera, have no large claws. The
fresh-water crayfishes are sometimes called lobsters.
{Lobster caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), the caterpillar of a
European bombycid moth ({Stauropus fagi}); -- so called
from its form.
{Lobster louse} (Zo["o]l.), a copepod crustacean
({Nicotho["e] astaci}) parasitic on the gills of the
European lobster.
Mare's-tail \Mare's"-tail`\, n.
1. A long streaky cloud, spreading out like a horse's tail,
and believed to indicate rain; a cirrus cloud. See
{Cloud}.
Mackerel sky and mare's-tails Make tall ships carry
low sails. --Old Rhyme.
2. (Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus {Hippuris} ({H.
vulgaris}), having narrow leaves in whorls.