crane fly

noun

1. any of numerous nonbiting insects constituting the family Tipulidae, inhabiting damp areas and resembling a large mosquito with extremely long legs.

crane fly

noun

1. any dipterous fly of the family Tipulidae, having long legs, slender wings, and a narrow body Also called (Brit)daddy-longlegs

Other Words From

• crane-fly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crane fly¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

They also eat crane-fly larvae, which are often very destructive in grass lands and wheat fields.

From Project Gutenberg

Then there is the crane-fly, whose balancers you can see quite easily.

From Project Gutenberg

Crane-fly (Tipula oleracea), a, female; b, larva ('leather-jacket' grub).

From Project Gutenberg

Crane-fly larvae are frequently seriously destructive locally in grass and wheat fields.

From Project Gutenberg

On cutting off both the poisers of a crane-fly, he says it was unable either to fly or walk.

From Project Gutenberg