[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/springtail/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / springtail

# springtail

noun (a springtail, springtails)

«springtail» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A tiny, wingless, six-legged animal that lives in soil and leaf litter and jumps by flicking a spring-like tail under its body. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/#m1)

### In the lessons

In science lessons about soil and minibeasts, springtails are among the most common tiny creatures, breaking down dead leaves and helping make soil. Pupils may find them with a magnifying glass or in a Tullgren funnel. They are harmless to people.

### Examples

- We found springtails in the leaf litter under the hedge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/#x1)
- A springtail jumps by flicking its tail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/#x2)
- Springtails help break down dead leaves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/#x3)
- You need a magnifying glass to see a springtail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/#x4)
- Thousands of springtails can live in one square metre of soil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/#x5)
- Springtails are not insects, though they look like them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/#x6)

### Note

Countable; one word. Scientists today usually class them as six-legged animals related to insects but not true insects.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «springtail» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/springtail/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«springtail» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/springtail.html) on Mova free.