Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Mosquito?

\Mos*qui"to\, n.; pl. {Mosquitoes}. [Sp. mosquito, fr. moscafly, L. musca. Cf. {Musket}.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of various species of gnats of the genus {Culex} and allied genera. The females have a proboscis containing, within the sheathlike labium, six fine, sharp, needlelike organs with which they puncture the skin of man and animals to suck the blood. These bites, when numerous, cause, in many persons, considerable irritation and swelling, with some pain. The larv[ae] and pup[ae], called wigglers, are aquatic. [Written also {musquito}.] {Mosquito bar}, {Mosquito net}, a net or curtain for excluding mosquitoes, -- used for beds and windows. {Mosquito fleet}, a fleet of small vessels. {Mosquito hawk} (Zo["o]l.), a dragon fly; -- so called because it captures and feeds upon mosquitoes. {Mosquito netting}, a loosely-woven gauzelike fabric for making mosquito bars.