punkie

American

[puhng-kee] / ˈpʌŋ ki /

noun

any of the minute biting gnats of the family Ceratopogonidae.

Etymology

Origin of punkie

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jean gave in and varnished his pelt thoroughly with my "punkie dope," as he called it; but, too late: the mischief was done.

From Woodcraft by Sears, George Washington

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023