horseflies

1 definition found

horseflies - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Horsefly \Horse"fly`\, n.; pl. Horseflies.
     1. (Zool.) Any dipterous fly of the family Tabanid[ae],
        that stings horses, and sucks their blood.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Of these flies there are numerous species, both in
           Europe and America. They have a large proboscis with
           four sharp lancets for piercing the skin. Called also
           breeze fly. See Illust. under Diptera, and Breeze fly
           .
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) The horse tick or forest fly (Hippobosca).
        [1913 Webster]