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noun
Idiom1.
any of certain small flies, especially the biting gnats or punkies of the family Ceratopogonidae, the midges of the family Chironomidae, and the black flies of the family Simuliidae.
2.
British. mosquito.
3.
strain at a gnat and swallow a camel, to fuss about trifles while ignoring more serious matters.
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Strain at a gnat and swallow a camel
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Origin:
before 900; Middle English; Old English gnæt(t); cognate with German (dial.) Gnatze
before 900; Middle English; Old English gnæt(t); cognate with German (dial.) Gnatze
Related forms
gnat·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To strain at a gnat and swallow a camel
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
gnat
O.E. gnætt, earlier gneat, from P.Gmc. *gnattaz (cf. Low Ger. gnatte, Ger. Gnitze).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
gnat (nāt)
n.
Any of various small, biting, two-winged flies, such as a biting midge or black fly.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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