Definition

Noun: 1. A large, swift fly whose female sucks the blood of various animals: A type of large, robust fly belonging to the family Tabanidae. The females are hematophagous, meaning they bite animals (including livestock and sometimes humans) to consume blood, which they need for egg production. They are known for their powerful flight and painful bite.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The cattle were restless due to the persistent horse flies.
  • A horse fly landed on my arm and delivered a very painful bite.
  • We used special repellents to keep the horse flies away from the horses.

Advanced Usage

• "Horse fly season": Refers to the time of year, typically warm summer months, when these insects are most active and numerous.
  • Avoid hiking near the marsh during horse fly season.

Variants and Related Words

• Horsefly (noun): An alternative, single-word spelling for "horse fly".
• Cleg (noun, chiefly British): A regional term for a horse fly.
• Gadfly (noun): A general term sometimes used interchangeably with "horse fly," though it can refer to other types of biting flies.
• Tabanid (noun, technical): The scientific family name for horse flies and deer flies.

Synonyms

• Breeze fly (regional)
• March fly (regional, especially in Australia)

Related Phrases

• Horse fly bite: Specifically refers to the wound and reaction caused by the insect's bite.
  • The horse fly bite swelled up and itched for days.

Noun

1. large swift fly the female of which sucks blood of various animals