elater
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el·a·ter
(ĕl′ə-tər)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 elatēr, driver, from elaunein, to drive.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
elater
(ˈɛlətə)n
1. (Animals) an elaterid beetle
2. (Botany) botany a spirally thickened filament, occurring in liverwort capsules and horsetails, thought to aid dispersal of spores
[C17: via New Latin from Greek: driver, from elaunein to beat, drive; compare elastic]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
el•a•ter
(ˈɛl ə tər)n.
1. Bot. an elastic filament serving to disperse spores.
[1645–55; < New Latin < Greek elatḗr driver]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | elater - any of various widely distributed beetles 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 |
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