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midge

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midge

  [mij]
Use midge in a Sentence
–noun
1. any of numerous minute dipterous insects, esp. of the family Chironomidae, somewhat resembling a mosquito. Compare gnat (def. 1).
2. a tiny person.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME mygge, OE mycg(e); c. G Mücke, ON mȳ; akin to Gk myîa, L musca fly
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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midge   (mĭj)   
n.  

  1. Any of various gnatlike flies of the family Chironomidae, found worldwide and frequently occurring in swarms near ponds and lakes.

  2. Any of various similar dipteran insects, such as the biting midges of the family Ceratopogonidae.

  3. A little person.


[Middle English, from Old English mycg.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

midge 
O.E. mygg, mycg "gnat," from P.Gmc. *mugjon (cf. O.S. muggia, M.Du. mugghe, Du. mug, O.H.G. mucka, Ger. Mücke "midge, gnat"). No known cognates beyond Gmc., unless doubtful Arm. mun "gnat" and Alb. mize "gnat" are counted.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: midge
Pronunciation: 'mij
Function: noun
: any of numerous tiny dipteran flies (especially families Ceratopogonidae, Cecidomyiidae, andChironomidae) many of which are capable of giving painful bites and some of which are vectors or intermediate hosts of parasites of humans and various other vertebrates —see BITING MIDGE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

midge (mĭj)
n.
Any of various gnatlike flies, some species of which, such as the biting midges of the family Ceratopogonidae, serve as vectors for parasitic diseases.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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