Gnat
Gnat , noun
[Anglo-Saxon gnat.]
1.
(Zoology) A blood-sucking dipterous fly, of the genus Culex, undergoing a metamorphosis in water. The females have a proboscis armed with needlelike organs for penetrating the skin of animals. These are wanting in the males. In America they are generally called mosquitoes. See Mosquito.
2.
Any fly resembling a Culex in form or habits; esp., in America, a small biting fly of the genus Simulium and allies, as the buffalo gnat, the black fly, etc.
Collocations (5)
Gnat catcher (Zoology) , one of several species of small American singing birds, of the genus Polioptila, allied to the kinglets.
Gnat flower , the bee flower.
Gnat hawk (Zoology) , the European goatsucker; -- called also gnat owl.
Gnat snapper (Zoology) , a bird that catches gnats.
Gnat strainer , a person ostentatiously punctilious about trifles. Compare Matt. xxiii. 24.