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stable fly

American  

noun

  1. a two-winged fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, having the mouthparts adapted for biting, and commonly a household and stable pest.


stable fly British  

noun

  1. a blood-sucking muscid fly, Stomoxys calcitrans , that attacks man and domestic animals

"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

Etymology

Origin of stable fly

First recorded in 1860–65

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.

The stable fly breeds in moist accumulations of straw, chaff, cow or horse manure, and various fermenting vegetable substances.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

It would be well worth while to experiment with the larvae of other species, such as the house fly, the stable fly, etc.

From New England Salmon Hatcheries and Salmon Fisheries in the Late 19th Century by Various

And the stable, fly infested, standing as before.

From The Tarn of Eternity by Tymon, Frank