VocabDictionary

biting fly

/ˈbaɪtɪŋ flaɪ/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

Any of various species of flies, such as horseflies, stable flies, or black flies, that possess mouthparts adapted for piercing the skin of mammals and feeding on their blood.

Example Sentences:
  • We had to wear long sleeves and repellent to protect ourselves from the biting flies near the marsh.
  • The horse kept twitching its tail to ward off the biting flies during the hot afternoon.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “biting fly”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The term is a compound noun derived from the present participle of the Old English 'bītan' (to bite), of Germanic origin, and the Old English 'flēoge' (fly), referring to the insect's characteristic behavior of piercing the skin to feed on blood.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'biting fly' as a 'flying needle' that bites you to get a snack.

Frequently Asked Questions About “biting fly

1. What is the meaning of “biting fly” in English?

In English, biting fly (noun) is defined as: “Any of various species of flies, such as horseflies, stable flies, or black flies, that possess mouthparts adapted for piercing the skin of mammals and feeding on their blood.”.

2. How do you use “biting fly” in a sentence?

We had to wear long sleeves and repellent to protect ourselves from the biting flies near the marsh.

3. What are English synonyms of “biting fly”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “biting fly”?

The term is a compound noun derived from the present participle of the Old English 'bītan' (to bite), of Germanic origin, and the Old English 'flēoge' (fly), referring to the insect's characteristic behavior of piercing the skin to feed on blood.