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

Dr Joerg Albert, from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, is an expert on mosquito mating and I asked him what he made of the research.

From BBC

He said attacking sense of sound was a promising route for mosquito control, but it needed to be studied and managed.

From BBC

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

From BBC

Vaccines are now being used in some places - but monitoring the disease and avoiding mosquito bites are the most effective ways to prevent malaria.

From BBC

Andrew Mulwa, a former chief executive of the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency who was the second witness, faced tough questions over his allegations that he was intimidated by a call from the deputy president to return documents for a cancelled tender for mosquito nets that the president has been accused of interfering with.

From BBC

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