collembolan

[kuh-lem-buh-luhn]

adjective

1. Also collembolous belonging or pertaining to the insect order Collembola, comprising the springtails.

noun

1. a collembolan insect; springtail.

collembolan

/ kəˈlɛmbələn /

noun

1. any small primitive wingless insect of the order Collembola, which comprises the springtails

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Collembola

Word History and Origins

Origin of collembolan¹

1870; < New Latin Collembol ( a ) order name (equivalent to Greek kóll ( a ) glue + émbola, plural of émbolon wedge, stopper ( embolus ); so named from the collophore) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of collembolan¹

C19: from New Latin Collembola, from Greek kolla glue + embolon peg, wedge

Example Sentences

The previous oldest examples are collembolan spermatozoa found entombed in amber from the Late Eocene period, and crustacean sperm from cave deposits found in Australia.

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