Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Jumping \Jump"ing\, p. a. & vb. n.
of {Jump}, to leap.
{Jumping bean}, a seed of a Mexican {Euphorbia}, containing
the larva of a moth ({Carpocapsa saltitans}). The larva by
its sudden movements causes the seed to roll to roll and
jump about.
{Jumping deer} (Zo["o]l.), a South African rodent ({Pedetes
Caffer}), allied to the jerboa.
{Jumping jack}, a toy figure of a man, jointed and made to
jump or dance by means of strings.
{Jumping louse} (Zo["o]l.), any of the numerous species of
plant lice belonging to the family {Psyllid[ae]}, several
of which are injurious to fruit trees.
{Jumping mouse} (Zo["o]l.), North American mouse ({Zapus
Hudsonius}), having a long tail and large hind legs. It is
noted for its jumping powers. Called also {kangaroo
mouse}.
{Jumping mullet} (Zo["o]l.), gray mullet.
{Jumping shrew} (Zo["o]l.), any African insectivore of the
genus {Macroscelides}. They are allied to the shrews, but
have large hind legs adapted for jumping.
{Jumping spider} (Zo["o]l.), spider of the genus {Salticus}
and other related genera; one of the Saltigrad[ae]; -- so
called because it leaps upon its prey.
Shrew \Shrew\, n. [See {Shrew}, a.]
1. Originally, a brawling, turbulent, vexatious person of
either sex, but now restricted in use to females; a
brawler; a scold.
A man . . . grudgeth that shrews [i. e., bad men]
have prosperity, or else that good men have
adversity. --Chaucer.
A man had got a shrew to his wife, and there could
be no quiet in the house for her. --L'Estrange.
2. [AS. scre['a]wa; -- so called because supposed to be
venomous. ] (Zo["o]l.) Any small insectivore of the genus
{Sorex} and several allied genera of the family
{Sorecid[ae]}. In form and color they resemble mice, but
they have a longer and more pointed nose. Some of them are
the smallest of all mammals.
Note: The common European species are the house shrew
({Crocidura araneus}), and the erd shrew ({Sorex
vulgaris}) (see under {Erd}.). In the United States
several species of {Sorex} and {Blarina} are common, as
the broadnosed shrew ({S. platyrhinus}), Cooper's shrew
({S. Cooperi}), and the short-tailed, or mole, shrew
({Blarina brevicauda}). Th American water, or marsh,
shrew ({Neosorex palustris}), with fringed feet, is
less common. The common European water shrews are
{Crossopus fodiens}, and the oared shrew (see under
{Oared}).
{Earth shrew}, any shrewlike burrowing animal of the family
{Centetid[ae]}, as the tendrac.
{Elephant shrew}, {Jumping shrew}, {Mole shrew}. See under
{Elephant}, {Jumping}, etc.
{Musk shrew}. See {Desman}.
{River shrew}, an aquatic West African insectivore
({Potamogale velox}) resembling a weasel in form and size,
but having a large flattened and crested tail adapted for
rapid swimming. It feeds on fishes.
{Shrew mole}, a common large North American mole ({Scalops
aquaticus}). Its fine, soft fur is gray with iridescent
purple tints.