gnat owl

Gnat Gnat, n. [AS. gn[ae]t.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A blood-sucking dipterous fly, of the genus {Culex}, undergoing a metamorphosis in water. The females have a proboscis armed with needlelike organs for penetrating the skin of animals. These are wanting in the males. In America they are generally called mosquitoes. See {Mosquito}. [1913 Webster]

2. Any fly resembling a Culex in form or habits; esp., in America, a small biting fly of the genus {Simulium} and allies, as the buffalo gnat, the black fly, etc. [1913 Webster]

{Gnat catcher} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of small American singing birds, of the genus {Polioptila}, allied to the kinglets.

{Gnat flower}, the bee flower.

{Gnat hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the European goatsucker; -- called also {gnat owl}.

{Gnat snapper} (Zo["o]l.), a bird that catches gnats.

{Gnat strainer}, a person ostentatiously punctilious about trifles. Cf. --Matt. xxiii. 24. [1913 Webster]