mayfly

[ mey-flahy ]
/ ˈmeɪˌflaɪ /

noun, plural may·flies.

Also called shadfly. any insect of the order Ephemeroptera, having delicate, membranous wings with the front pair much larger than the rear and having an aquatic larval stage and a terrestrial adult stage usually lasting less than two days.
Also May fly. Angling. an artificial fly made to resemble this insect.

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weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
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Origin of mayfly

First recorded in 1645–55; May + fly2

Words nearby mayfly

mayfield, mayfield heights, mayfish, mayflower, mayflower compact, mayfly, mayhap, mayhappen, mayhem, mayhew, maying
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for mayfly

British Dictionary definitions for mayfly

mayfly
/ (ˈmeɪˌflaɪ) /

noun plural -flies

Also called: dayfly any insect of the order Ephemeroptera (or Ephemerida). The short-lived adults, found near water, have long tail appendages and large transparent wings; the larvae are aquatic
angling an artificial fly resembling this
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012