Spanish fly

American  

noun

1. Also called cantharides.  a preparation of powdered blister beetles, especially the Spanish fly, used medicinally as a counterirritant, diuretic, and aphrodisiac.

2. Also called cantharis.  Also Spanishfly a common European blister beetle, Cantharis (Lytta ) vesicatoria, that yields this preparation.

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Spanish fly British  

noun

1. a European blister beetle, Lytta vesicatoria (family Meloidae ), the dried bodies of which yield the pharmaceutical product cantharides

2. another name for cantharides

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Etymology

Origin of Spanish fly

First recorded in 1400–50; so called from the fact that the beetles are found in abundance in Spain

Example Sentences

The column’s jokey tone — violence against women is ever so funny, right? — might recall Bill Cosby’s onstage bits about drugging women with the supposed aphrodisiac Spanish fly.

From Washington Post

Jurors at Bill Cosby’s sex assault trial in Pennsylvania will hear his explosive deposition testimony about quaaludes but not his references to the supposed aphrodisiac Spanish fly.

From Washington Times

It’s weird, because there’s some really bizarre material on there—you know, there’s a bit about running after his wife, and about Spanish fly.

From The New Yorker

“Boy, if I had a whole jug of Spanish fly, I’d light that whole corner up over there.”

From Salon

For centuries women had employed dangerous means to end unwanted pregnancies — syringed themselves with lye and turpentine, used probes, ingested potions of Spanish fly and tansy oil.

From Washington Post