HORSEFLY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Horsefly

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noun

Horsefly n. (pl. horseflies)

(Zool.) Any dipterous fly of the family Tabanidae, that stings horses, and sucks their blood. Note: Of these flies there are numerous species, both in Europe and America. They have a large proboscis with four sharp lancets for piercing the skin. Called also breeze fly.

(Zool.) The horse tick or forest fly (Hippobosca).

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Etymology of 'Horsefly'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Horsefly" Quotes from Famous Books

... well," replied Sampson, flicking at a horsefly on the sorrel's back, "an' Jim, he's well en buried. Marse Tom sot up er boa'd des' like ...

— The Voice of the People • Ellen Glasgow

... passed seemed to be dedicated to the moon. Another was intended to propitiate the horsefly. Several villages had boxes fastened on posts for the reception of broken glass. As we approached one village I saw an inscription put up by the young men's association, "Good Crops and Prosperity to the Village." When we came to the next village the schoolmaster was ...

— The Foundations of Japan • J.W. Robertson Scott

... balancers of a horsefly be removed, the insect at once loses its equilibrium; it cannot direct its flight, but plunges headlong to the ground. The same can be said of Chrysops niger—in fact, of the entire family of Tabanidae, of the gall gnat (Diplosis ...

— The Dawn of Reason - or, Mental Traits in the Lower Animals • James Weir

... the lady, dad,' said Jendrek; 'she is just like a horsefly, yellow with black spots, and thin in the waist ...

— Selected Polish Tales • Various