GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Elater , n. One who, or that which, elates.
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2.       
   ‖Elater , n. [NL., fr. Gr.  driver, fr.  to drive.]
   (Bot.) An elastic spiral filament for dispersing the spores, as in some liverworts.
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   (Zoöl.) Any beetle of the family Elateridæ, 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.
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   (Zoöl.) The caudal spring used by Podura and related insects for leaping. See Collembola.
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3.       
   Elater , n. (Chem.) 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.
   1913 Webster