Lark
(Lark), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Larked ; p. pr. & vb. n. Larking.] To sport; to frolic. [Colloq.]
Lark
(Lark), n. [OE. larke, laverock, AS. lawerce; akin to D. leeuwerik, LG. lewerke, OHG. lerahha,
G. lerche, Sw. lärka, Dan. lerke, Icel. lævirki.] (Zoöl.) Any one numerous species of singing birds of
the genus Alauda and allied genera They mostly belong to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. In America
they are represented by the shore larks, or horned larks, of the genus Otocoris. The true larks have
holaspidean tarsi, very long hind claws, and, usually, dull, sandy brown colors.
The European skylark, or lark of the poets (Alauda arvensis), is of a brown mottled color, and is noted
for its clear and sweet song, uttered as it rises and descends almost perpendicularly in the air. It is
considered a table delicacy, and immense numbers are killed for the markets. Other well-known European
species are the crested, or tufted, lark and the wood lark The pipits, or titlarks, of the genus Anthus
(family Motacillidæ) are often called larks. See Pipit. The American meadow larks, of the genus Sturnella,
are allied to the starlings. See Meadow Lark. The Australian bush lark is Mirafra Horsfieldii. See Shore
lark.
Lark bunting (Zoöl.), a fringilline bird (Calamospiza melanocorys) found on the plains of the Western
United States. — Lark sparrow (Zoöl.), a sparrow found in the Mississippi Valley and the Western
United States.
Lark
(Lark), v. i. To catch larks; as, to go larking.
Lark-colored
(Lark"-col`ored) a. Having the sandy brown color of the European larks.
Larker
(Lark"er) n. [See 3d Lark, for sense 1, and 1st Lark, for sense 2.]
1. A catcher of larks.
2. One who indulges in a lark or frolic. [Colloq.]
Lark's-heel
(Lark's"-heel`) n. (Bot.) Indian cress.
Larkspur
(Lark"spur) n. (Bot.) A genus of ranunculaceous plants having showy flowers, and a spurred
calyx. They are natives of the North Temperate zone. The commonest larkspur of the gardens is D.
Consolida. The flower of the bee larkspur (D. elatum) has two petals bearded with yellow hairs, and
looks not unlike a bee.
Larmier
(Lar"mi*er) n. [F., fr. larme tear, drop, L. lacrima. See Lachrymose.] (Anat.) See Tearpit.
Laroid
(La"roid) a. [Larus + - oid.] (Zoöl.) Like or belonging to the Gull family
Larrup
(Lar"rup) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Larruped ; p. pr. & vb. n. Larruping.] [Perh, a corrupt. of lee
rope, used by sailors in beating the boys; but cf. D. larpen to thresh, larp a whip, blow.] To beat or
flog soundly. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.] Forby.
Larry
(Lar"ry) n. Same as Lorry, or Lorrie.
Larum
(Lar"um) n. See Alarum, and Alarm.
Larva
(Lar"va) n.; pl. L. Larvæ E. Larvas [L. larva ghost, specter, mask.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any young insect from the time that it hatches from the egg until it becomes a pupa, or chrysalis.
During this time it usually molts several times, and may change its form or color each time. The larvæ of
many insects are much like the adults in form and habits, but have no trace of wings, the rudimentary
wings appearing only in the pupa stage. In other groups of insects the larvæ are totally unlike the parents
in structure and habits, and are called caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc.
