Elater
/ɪˈleɪ.tə/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which elates.
- 2 Elasticity; especially the expansibility of a gas. obsolete
- 3 any of various widely distributed beetles wordnet
- 4 A long, slender cell produced among spores and having hygroscopic secondary cell wall thickenings.
"The closest affinities of the Jubulaceae are with the Lejeuneaceae. The two families share in common: (a) elaters usually 1-spiral, trumpet-shaped and fixed to the capsule valves, distally[…]"
- 5 Any of the long, slender hygroscopic appendages attached to the spores of horsetails (genus Equisetum).
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- 6 An elaterid, or click beetle.
Example
More examples"The closest affinities of the Jubulaceae are with the Lejeuneaceae. The two families share in common: (a) elaters usually 1-spiral, trumpet-shaped and fixed to the capsule valves, distally[…]"
Etymology
Etymology 1
From elate + -er.
Etymology 2
From New Latin elatēr, from Ancient Greek ἐλατήρ (elatḗr, “driver, that which drives away”).