mosquito

¹

[ muh-skee-toh ]

noun

, plural mos·qui·toes, mos·qui·tos.

1. any of numerous dipterous insects of the family Culicidae, the females of which suck the blood of animals and humans, some species transmitting certain diseases, as malaria and yellow fever.
2. Mosquito, Military. a twin-engined, two-seat British fighter and bomber of World War II, made largely of plywood and having a top speed of 380 miles per hour (610 km/h).

Mosquito

²

[ muh-skee-toh ]

noun

, plural Mos·qui·tos, (especially collectively) Mos·qui·to.

1. Miskito.

mosquito

/ məˈskiːtəʊ /

noun

1. any dipterous insect of the family Culicidae: the females have a long proboscis adapted for piercing the skin of man and animals to suck their blood See also aedes anopheles culex

Other Words From

• mos·quito·ey adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mosquito¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Spanish, equivalent to mosc(a) “fly” (from Latin musca ) + -ito diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of mosquito¹

C16: from Spanish, diminutive of mosca fly, from Latin musca

Example Sentences

Crystals are the building blocks that make up many over-the-counter and prescription drugs, insecticides to fight mosquitoes, explosives such as TNT, semiconductors, and light-emitting technologies used in television screens and cell phones.

From Science Daily

The researchers did an experiment, altering a genetic pathway that male mosquitoes use for this hearing.

From BBC

The spider has developed a special sense that allows it to detect blood and will choose small, blood-filled mosquitoes over larger ones that don't contain the red stuff.

From Salon

Malaria is caused by a complex parasite which is spread by mosquito bites.

From BBC

Sustained spread of dengue in a neighborhood occurs when infected mosquitoes bite and spread it to people, who are then bitten by other mosquitoes.

From Los Angeles Times

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