punkie

[puhng-kee]

See more synonyms for punkie on Thesaurus.com

noun

any of the minute biting gnats of the family Ceratopogonidae.

Origin of punkie

1760–70, Americanism; < New York Dutch *punkje, alteration of Munsee Delaware pónkwəs (equivalent to Proto-Algonquian *penkw- dust, ashes + *-ehs- diminutive suffix) + Dutch -je diminutive suffix

Also called biting midge, no-see-um.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

punk no-see-um punkie punky

Examples from the Web for punkie

Historical Examples

Jean gave in and varnished his pelt thoroughly with my "punkie dope," as he called it; but, too late; the mischief was done.
Woodcraft and Camping
George Washington Sears (Nessmuk)