Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Gnat?

\Gnat\, n. [AS. gn[ae]t.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) 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. {Gnat catcher} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of small American singing birds, of the genus {Polioptila}, allied to the kinglets. {Gnat flower}, the bee flower. {Gnat hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the European goatsucker; -- called also {gnat owl}. {Gnat snapper} (Zo["o]l.), a bird that catches gnats. {Gnat strainer}, a person ostentatiously punctilious about trifles. Cf. --Matt. xxiii. 24.