ELATER (2)

‖El″a‐ter (?), n. [] 1. 1. (Bot.) An elastic spiral filament for dispersing the spores, as in some liverworts.
2. 2. (Zoöl.) Any beetle of the family Elateridæ, having the habit, when laid on the back, of giving a sudden upward spring, by a quick movement of the articulation between the abdomen and thorax; — called also click beetle, spring beetle, and snapping beetle.
3. 3. (Zoöl.) The caudal spring used by Podura and related insects for leaping. See Collembola.