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. [Greek elat  r, driver, from elaunein, to drive.] |
| 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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  elater - any of various widely distributed beetlesbeetle - 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 |
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