definitions

sandfly

[ sand-flahy ]
/ ˈsændˌflaɪ /

noun, plural sand·flies.

any of several small, bloodsucking, dipterous insects of the family Psychodidae that are vectors of several diseases of humans.
any of several other small, bloodsucking, dipterous insects, as one of the family Heleidae or Simuliidae.

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Nearby words

sandek, sander, sanderling, sanderson, sandfish, sandfly, sandfly fever, sandglass, sandgrouse, sandhi, sandhill crane

Origin of sandfly

First recorded in 1675–85; sand + fly2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for sand fly

sandfly

/ (ˈsændˌflaɪ) /

noun plural -flies

any of various small mothlike dipterous flies of the genus Phlebotomus and related genera: the bloodsucking females transmit diseases including leishmaniasis: family Psychodidae
any of various similar and related flies
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

Medicine definitions for sand fly

sand fly

n.

Any of various small biting flies of the genus Phlebotomus of tropical areas, some of which transmit diseases.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.