noseeum

See also: no-see-um

English

Alternative forms

• no-see-em
• no-see-um

Etymology

Shortened no see them.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /noʊˈsi.əm/, enPR: nōsēʹəm
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /nəʊˈsiː.əm/, enPR: nōsēʹəm
• Hyphenation: no‧see‧um

Noun

noseeum (plural noseeums)

1. (colloquial) a biting midge, a small flying insect that harasses people out of doors, particularly in warm weather after sunset.
   • 1983, Bob Cary, The big wilderness canoe manual:

     Noseeums will go right through a tent screen.

   • 1999, Stephen King, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon:

     The minges and noseeums had found her now, so many of them buzzing around her head that her vision seemed to dance with black specks.

Synonyms

• punkie
• sandfly