Springtail

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pintail \Pin"tail`\, n.
     1. (Zool.) A northern duck ({Dafila acuta}), native of both
        continents. The adult male has a long, tapering tail.
        Called also {gray duck}, {piketail}, {piket-tail},
        {spike-tail}, {split-tail}, {springtail}, {sea pheasant},
        and {gray widgeon}.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) The sharp-tailed grouse of the great plains and
        Rocky Mountains ({Pedioc[ae]tes phasianellus}); -- called
        also {pintailed grouse}, {pintailed chicken},
        {springtail}, and {sharptail}.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Springtail \Spring"tail`\ (-t[=a]l`), n. (Zool.)
     Any one of numerous species of small apterous insects
     belonging to the order {Thysanura}. They have two elastic
     caudal stylets which can be bent under the abdomen and then
     suddenly extended like a spring, thus enabling them to leap
     to a considerable distance. See {Collembola}, and {Podura}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  springtail
       n : 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 [syn: {collembolan}]