gallinipper

[gal-uh-nip-er]

noun

Informal.

1. any of various insects that sting or bite, especially a large American mosquito, Psorophora ciliata.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallinipper¹

First recorded in 1675–85; of obscure origin; final element apparently assimilated to nipper

Example Sentences

This giant mosquito species, affectionately known as ’gallinipper,′ infamously delivers a memorable bite that aphoristically “nips a gallon of your blood.”

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Fortunately, the gallinipper rarely carries dangerous pathogens.

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The gallinipper mosquito is an inch long and can leave a bruise.

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The mussels can be cancerous, as evidenced by what happened to the Gallinipper, a fur trading ship that went down in 1851 and remained in pristine condition on the lake floor for more than a century.

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UF/IFAS Photo by Marisol Amador Entomologist Phil Kaufman shows the size difference between an invasive Asian tiger mosquito, right, and the native species Psorophora ciliata, sometimes called the gallinipper.

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