Elater

Definition:

  • (n.) One who, or that which, elates.
  • (n.) An elastic spiral filament for dispersing the spores, as in some liverworts.
  • (n.) Any beetle of the family Elateridae, 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.
  • (n.) The caudal spring used by Podura and related insects for leaping. See Collembola.
  • (n.) The active principle of elaterium, being found in the juice of the wild or squirting cucumber (Ecballium agreste, formerly Motordica Elaterium) and other related species. It is extracted as a bitter, white, crystalline substance, which is a violent purgative.

Compare elater with other words:

elater vs. slater

elated vs. elater

elater vs. plater

elater vs. later

elater vs. elatery

elater vs. relater

elate vs. elater

eater vs. elater

elater vs. equisetum

elater vs. horsetail

appendage vs. elater

elater vs. hygroscopic

elater vs. spore

cell vs. elater