Hypertext Webster Gateway: "springtail"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Springtail \Spring"tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
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}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Pintail \Pin"tail`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The sharp-tailed grouse of the great plains and
Rocky Mountains ({Pedioc[ae]tes phasianellus}); -- called
also {pintailed grouse}, {pintailed chicken},
{springtail}, and {sharptail}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (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}]
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