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sandfly
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
n.
any of several small winged insects with a sharp bite, especially Phlebotamus sp.
See: no-see-em (fly)
Quotations
1717
To Sett in, yt is, the Musketos & horse flyes; but ye 3d is worse than ye other 2, for here is now Such Swarms of Small Sand flyes that wee can hardly See the Sun through them, & where they light is Just as If a Spark of fire fell & raises little lump wch Smarts & burns So that wee cannot forbear Rubbing of them as cases Such Scabbs that our hands & faces is nothing but-Scabbs.
1867
The male sand-fly is not a blood-sucker, but lives on flowers.
1921
One night those almost invisible torments, the sand flies, caused us--or rather me--much misery until Granny built such a large fire that it attracted the attention of the little brutes, and into it they all dived, or apparently did--just as she said they would--for in less than half an hour not a single sand fly remained.