collembolan

col·lem·bo·lan

C0480800 (kə-lĕm′bə-lən)n. See springtail.

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[coll(o)- + Greek embolos, peg, stopper; see embolus.]

collembolan

(kəˈlɛmbələn) n (Animals) any small primitive wingless insect of the order Collembola, which comprises the springtailsadj (Animals) of, relating to, or belonging to the Collembola[C19: from New Latin Collembola, from Greek kolla glue + embolon peg, wedge]

col•lem•bo•lan

(kəˈlɛm bə lən)

adj. 1. Also, col•lem′bo•lous. belonging or pertaining to the insect order Collembola, comprising the springtails. n. 2. a collembolan insect; springtail. [1870; < New Latin Collembol(a) (< Greek kóll(a) glue + émbolon wedge; see embolus)]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

collembolan - 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 waterspringtailinsect - small air-breathing arthropodCollembola, order Collembola - minute wingless arthropods: springtails