jumping bristletail
- noun
:
insecto branquial saltador
- When disturbed, the jumping bristletail darts away in a surprising leap.
Examples
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Biologists studied the habitat preferences of the jumping bristletail under decaying logs.
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I saw a jumping bristletail under the old log.
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A jumping bristletail is often mistaken for a silverfish, but it can jump remarkable distances.
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The jumping bristletails are fascinating insects.
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Biologists studied the habitat preferences of the jumping bristletail under decaying logs.
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When disturbed, the jumping bristletail darts away in a surprising leap.
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I saw a jumping bristletail under the old log.
Synonyms
A group of small wingless insects that jump and have tail bristles
A small wingless insect that lives in dark, damp places and jumps when disturbed
A small insect without wings that has a long bristle tail
A small wingless insect with tiny hairs on its tail that lives in damp places
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun is a straightforward compositional combination: 'jumping' (leaping) modifies 'bristletail' (a type of primitive insect), so the phrase denotes a bristletail that jumps. This follows normal modifier + noun formation and is descriptive rather than idiomatic, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
The noun jumping bristletail comes from a simple picture: jumping because the insect makes sudden leaps, and bristletail because it has a tail with fine bristles. So the name describes a small insect that 'jumps' away when disturbed.
