[hop.per] n (13c) 1 a: one that hops b: a leaping insect; specif: an immature hopping form of an insect (as a grasshopper or locust)
2. [fr. the shaking motion of hoppers used to feed grain into a mill] a: a usu. funnel-shaped receptacle for delivering material (as grain or coal); also: any of various other receptacles for the temporary storage of material b: a freight car with a floor sloping to one or more hinged doors for discharging bulk materials--called also hopper car c: a box in which a bill to be considered by a legislative body is dropped d: a tank holding liquid and having a device for releasing its contents through a pipe