horse fly

American  

noun

1. any bloodsucking, usually large fly of the family Tabanidae, especially of the genus Tabanus, a serious pest of horses, cattle, etc.

---

Etymology

Origin of horse fly

1350–1400; Middle English horsfleeye

Example Sentences

You’ve seen a horse fly, you’ve seen a dragon fly, you’ve seen a house fly.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2019

Bad luck, like an avenging horse fly, seemed to chase him.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2016

The Scaptia beyonceae, a rare species of horse fly found in Queensland, Australia, was named after the American singer Beyonce, in January.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2012

Most of the time, Woolf would only let the horse fly through a short sprint before pulling him up and circling back for another go.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

That tent of ours has stuck out on the landscape like a horse fly on a pillow sham.

From Hepsey Burke by Westcott, Frank N. (Frank Noyes)