mayfly
[ mey-flahy ]
/ ˈmeɪˌflaɪ /
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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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Words nearby mayfly
Mayfield, Mayfield Heights, mayfish, Mayflower, Mayflower compact, mayfly, mayhap, mayhappen, May-Hegglin anomaly, mayhem, Mayhew
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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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
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