mosquito Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals

WordNet

Mos*qui"to noun
Etymology
Sp. mosquito, fr. moscafly, L. musca. Cf. Musket.
Wordforms
plural Mosquitoes
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of various species of gnats of the genus Culex and allied genera. The females have a proboscis containing, within the sheathlike labium, six fine, sharp, needlelike organs with which they puncture the skin of man and animals to suck the blood. These bites, when numerous, cause, in many persons, considerable irritation and swelling, with some pain. The larvæ and pupæ, called wigglers, are aquatic. Written also musquito.

Webster 1913