click beetle

click beetle
    n 1: able to right itself when on its back by flipping into the
         air with a clicking sound [syn: {click beetle}, {skipjack},
         {snapping beetle}]
    

Elater \El"a*ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? driver, fr. ? to drive.]
   1. (Bot.) An elastic spiral filament for dispersing the
      spores, as in some liverworts.
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   2. (Zo["o]l.) Any beetle of the family {Elaterid[ae]}, 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}.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Zo["o]l.) The caudal spring used by {Podura} and related
      insects for leaping. See {Collembola}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Click beetle \Click" bee"tle\ (Zool.)
   See {Elater}.
   [1913 Webster]