no-see-um

[ noh-see-uhm ]

noun

, Northern and Western U.S.

1. punkie.

Word History and Origins

Origin of no-see-um¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; from the broken English phrase (You) don't see 'em, supposedly used by American Indians

Example Sentences

Mosquito or no-see-um bites usually require only a cold compress or a dab of OTC hydrocortisone cream.

From Washington Post

Seattle is bad enough—it's so big that I feel like a no-see-um in a Norway pine reserve.

From Project Gutenberg

There is another pest of the North Woods which the guides call the no-see-um.

From Project Gutenberg

Night and day are the same to the no-see-um; its warfare is continuous and its bite very annoying, but it disappears with the black-fly in July or August.

From Project Gutenberg