Mosquito

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Mosquito \Mos*qui"to\ (m[o^]s*k[=e]*t[-o]), n.; pl. {Mosquitoes}
     (m[o^]s*k[=e]*t[=o]z). [Sp. mosquito, fr. moscafly, L. musca.
     Cf. {Musket}.] (Zool.)
     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 larvae and pupae, called wigglers, are aquatic.
     [Written also {musquito}.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {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} (Zool.), a dragon fly; -- so called because
        it captures and feeds upon mosquitoes.
  
     {Mosquito netting}, a loosely-woven gauzelike fabric for
        making mosquito bars.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  mosquito
       n : two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to
           pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals
       [also: {mosquitoes} (pl)]