midge
/midʤ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A very small two-winged fly: A midge is a tiny flying insect that resembles a mosquito but does not have mouthparts capable of biting. They are often seen in large, swirling groups, particularly near bodies of water. 2. (Informal, often humorous) A small or insignificant person: This is a less common, figurative use to describe someone who is small in stature or perceived as unimportant.
Usage
- The singular form "midge" refers to one insect.
- The plural form is "midges."
- It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Noun (Insect):
- We had to cut our picnic short because of the cloud of midges near the lake.
- Unlike mosquitoes, midges are generally harmless as they do not bite.
- The evening air was thick with dancing midges.
- Noun (Person - informal):
- He affectionately called his younger sister a little midge.
Advanced Usage
- "Midge swarm": A large, dense group of midges.
- The midge swarm was so dense it looked like smoke over the river.
- "Biting midge": This is a specific term for a related insect (often called "no-see-ums" or "punkies") that bite. It is considered a compound term, not a direct use of "midge" alone.
Variants and Related Words
- Midgy (adjective, informal): Describing a place or time when there are many midges.
- It's a very midgy evening; you might want some repellent.
- Non-biting midge (compound noun): A more precise scientific term to distinguish them from biting varieties.
Synonyms
- Gnat: A general term for small, flying insects, often used interchangeably with "midge," though gnats can sometimes bite.
- No-see-um (North American): A colloquial term for very small, biting flies.
- Punkie (North American): Another regional term for a small biting fly.
Related Phrases and Idioms
(Note: "Midge" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verbs or idioms. Its use is primarily literal.)
Noun
- minute two-winged mosquito-like fly lacking biting mouthparts; appear in dancing swarms especially near water