kəˈlembələ noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from coll- + -embola (from Greek embolos, embolon peg, wedge); from their collophore — more at embol-
: an order of small primitively wingless anthropods that are related to or sometimes classed among the true insects, are characterized by possession of a median collophore, not more than 6 abdominal segments, 3 pairs of legs, and usually a forked caudal furcula, are found especially in soil rich in organic debris or on the surface of snow or water, and comprise the springtails
• col·lem·bo·lan -lən adjective or noun
• col·lem·bo·lous -ləs adjective