shadfly

[ shad-flahy ]

noun,plural shad·flies.

Origin of shadfly

1
An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; so called because they hatch at the time of year when shad are running

Words Nearby shadfly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use shadfly in a sentence

  • We met with ephemer (shadfly) midway, about a mile from the shore, and they evidently fly over the whole lake.

    The Maine Woods | Henry David Thoreau