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deer fly

American

noun

any of several tabanid flies of the genus Chrysops, the female of which is a vector of tularemia in deer, livestock, and humans.

Etymology

Origin of deer fly

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There was deer fly season, mosquito season, greenhead fly season.

From Washington Times • Apr. 25, 2015

Putney, 25 May 1977: hot weather, swimming weather, deer fly weather.

From Time Magazine Archive

I often sought its gloom, led by that instinct which makes the stricken deer fly to the shade.

From Daisy Burns (Volume 1) by Kavanagh, Julia

Flaming onions began surging 194upward in their terrifying circlets, but Yancey was as scornful of them as is a Texas steer of a buzzing deer fly.

From Aces Up by Clarke, Covington

Thus the beavers grow more scarce, and deer fly farther back; yet after I have reserved skins for my mantle and the clothing of my wife, I will exchange the rest.

From The Life and Times of Kateri Tekakwitha The Lily of the Mohawks by Walworth, Ellen H.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023