Gadfly

/ˈɡædflaɪ/ · noun

Meaning

Any dipterous (“two-winged”) insect or fly of the family Oestridae (commonly known as a botfly) or Tabanidae (horsefly), noted for irritating animals by buzzing about them, and biting them to suck their blood; a gadbee..

Definitions by Sense

1. Any dipterous (“two-winged”) insect or fly of the family Oestridae (commonly known as a botfly) or Tabanidae (horsefly), noted for irritating animals by buzzing about them, and biting them to suck their blood; a gadbee.
2. A person or thing that irritates or instigates.
3. Synonym of gadabout (“a person who restlessly moves from place to place, seeking amusement or the companionship of others”).
4. A person who takes without giving back; a bloodsucker.

Example Sentences

He that made that ryme in jeſt, little conſidered what a gad-fly may doe in earneſt. It is ſmall wiſedome to contemne the ſmalleſt enemy; the gad-fly is a little creature, but ſome little creatures be ſtingers; […]

Light fly his ſlumbers, if perchance a flight / Of angry gad-flies faſten on the herd; […]

The nomads of Africa are constrained to wander by the attacks of the gadfly, which drives the cattle mad, and so compels the tribe to emigrate in the rainy season and drive off the cattle to the higher sandy regions.

Vengeful Hera transformed her [Io] into an animal (a beautiful cow), and imposed upon her the company of a gadfly to sting her continuously, thus forcing her to escape on an endless pilgrimage.

VVhat gad flye tickles ſo this Macrinus, / That vp-flinging thy tayle, he breakes thus from me.

VVhat VVinnie? VVife, I ſay? out of dores at this time! vvhere ſhould I ſeeke the Gad-flye?

VVhere are thoſe gad-flies going? to ſome Junket novv; […]

[Y]our Harriet may turn gadfly, and never be eaſy but vvhen ſhe is forming parties, or giving vvay to them, that may make the home, that hitherto has been the chief ſcene of her pleaſures, undelightful to her.

Synonyms for gadfly

Antonyms for gadfly

Related Words

Word Forms

• gadflies

Usage Notes

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