gadfly

English

/ˈɡædflaɪ/

noun

Definitions

Any dipterous insect of the family Oestridae, commonly known as botflies.
A horsefly: any of various species of fly, of the family Tabanidae, noted for buzzing about animals and sucking their blood.
(figurative) One who upsets the status quo by posing upsetting or novel questions, or attempts to stimulate innovation by proving an irritant.
(pejorative) One who merely irritates without making useful suggestions.
(derogatory) A bloodsucker; a person who takes without giving back.

Etymology

Affix from English gad (spike) + English fly.

Origin

English

fly

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

alderfly English
antifly English
apple fly English
barfly English
bee fly English
beetfly English
befly English
blackfly English
bobfly English
botfly English
bottlefly English
breezefly English
butterfly English
catchfly English
cranefly English
damselfly English
dayfly English
deerfly English
dobsonfly English
dragonfly English
dronefly English
dungfly English
face fly English
fairyfly English
firefly English
fishfly English
fleshfly English
flier English
fliest English
flight English
flower fly English
fly English
fly sheet English
fly-ass English
fly-bitten English
fly-boy English
flyable English
flyaway English
flyback English
flyball English
flybane English
flyblow English
flyboat English
flybook English
flyboy English
flybridge English
flycatch English
flycatcher English
flycatching English
flycraft English
flyer English
flyest English
flyfish English
flyfisher English
flyfisherman English
flyflap English
flyflapper English
flyhawk English
flying English
flyleaf English
flyless English
flyloft English
flymaker English
flyman English
flyness English
flynet English
flyoff English
flyout English
flypaper English
flypast English
flyperson English
flypost English
flyproof English
flyrobin English
flyrod English
flyscreen English
flysheet English
flyspeck English
flystrike English
flystruck English
flyswat English
flyswatter English
flythrough English
flytime English
flytrap English
flyunder English
flyway English
flyweight English
flywheel English
flywhisk English
flywire English
flyworthy English
fruitfly English
gad English
gadder English
gaddest English
gaddeth English
gaddish English
gadling English
gadsman English
gallfly English
greenfly English
griffinfly English
horsefly English
housefly English
hoverfly English
lanternfly English
lanthorn-fly English
mantisfly English
mayfly English
outfly English
overfly English
owlfly English
oxfly English
palmfly English
refly English
robberfly English
sandfly English
sawfly English
scorpionfly English
shadfly English
shoofly pie English
snakefly English
stonefly English
upfly English
whitefly English
フライ Japanese
flye Middle English
flai Tok Pisin