springtail

spring·tail  (sprngtl)

n.

Any of various small wingless insects of the order Collembola, having abdominal appendages that act as springs to catapult them through the air. Also called collembolan.

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springtail [ˈsprɪŋˌteɪl]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any primitive wingless insect of the order Collembola, having a forked springing organ with which it projects itself forward

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

springtail - any of numerous minute wingless primitive insects possessing a special abdominal appendage that allows the characteristic nearly perpetual springing pattern; found in soil rich in organic debris or on the surface of snow or water collembolan insect - small air-breathing arthropod Collembola, order Collembola - minute wingless arthropods: springtails