elater

el·a·ter  (l-tr)

n.

1. An elaterid beetle.

2. Botany A tiny elongated structure that forces the dispersal of spores by the absorption of moisture. It is either a band attached to the spore, as in horsetails, or a filament occurring among the spores, as in liverworts.

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[Greek elatr, driver, from elaunein, to drive.]

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elater [ˈɛlətə]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) an elaterid beetle

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Botany a spirally thickened filament, occurring in liverwort capsules and horsetails, thought to aid dispersal of spores

[via New Latin from Greek: driver, from elaunein to beat, drive; compare elastic]

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elater  (l-tr)

A tiny elongated structure that helps disperse plant spores by coiling and uncoiling in response to changes in humidity. The elaters of horsetails are bands attached to the spore wall, while those of liverworts are sterile cells occurring among the spores.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

elater - any of various widely distributed beetles elaterid, elaterid beetle beetle - insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings Elateridae, family Elateridae - click beetles and certain fireflies click beetle, snapping beetle, skipjack - able to right itself when on its back by flipping into the air with a clicking sound fire beetle, firefly, Pyrophorus noctiluca - tropical American click beetle having bright luminous spots