springtail (springtal)

1. A collembolous thysanurous insect which leaps or skips about by means of abdominal hairs acting like a spring, as any poduran. In these creatures the anal bristles are united and bent under the body, forming a spring by the aid of which they leap to a great height. They are found in gardens, in hotbeds, on manure-heaps in winter, and on snow, and may also be seen on the surface of water in quiet pools. See Collembola, 2, Podura, and Thysa nur a. 2. A thysanurous insect of the suborder Cinura, oftener called bristletail. See Cinura, Lepisma, and cut under silverfish.-3. One 1 Springtails. 1, Degeeria nival is; 2, a poduran; both greatly enlarged. neurop 5866 ramous. 2. Abounding with springs or fountains; wet; spongy: as, springy land. sprink (springk), v. t. [A dial. var. of spring; cf. sprinkle.] To sprinkle; splash. Hall i well. [Obsolete or prov. Eng.]