midge

[mij]

noun

1. any of numerous minute dipterous insects, especially of the family Chironomidae, somewhat resembling a mosquito.

2. Chiefly British.,  a little person.

midge

/ mɪdʒ /

noun

1. any fragile mosquito-like dipterous insect of the family Chironomidae, occurring in dancing swarms, esp near water

2. any similar or related insect, such as the biting midge and gall midge

3. a small or diminutive person or animal

Other Word Forms

• midgy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of midge¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English mygge, Old English mycg; cognate with German Mücke, Old Norse mȳ; akin to Greek myîa, Latin musca “fly”

Word History and Origins

Origin of midge¹

Old English mycge; compare Old High German mucca, Danish myg

Example Sentences

Spread by midges, bluetongue poses no threat to the public or food safety but can have serious consequences for cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and cattle.

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Almost all of the filming was done in Scotland – where three decades later Tim Roth returned to make John MacLean's Tornado, and was relieved to find the wintry temperatures had killed off the midges.

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As for Arthur, the eye midge grants him a second life of sorts, popping itself into his dead skull and jerking him from prone into a seated position.

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Terrifying as that is, the eye midge manages to be scarier.

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Wales' chief vet Richard Irvine said bluetongue, a virus transmitted by midge bites that affects cattle, sheep and goats, was "a potentially devastating disease".

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