mosquito

 
Pronunciation: /mɒˈskiːtəʊ/

noun (plural mosquitoes)

  • a slender long-legged fly with aquatic larvae. The bite of the bloodsucking female can transmit a number of serious diseases including malaria and elephantiasis.
    • Culex, Anopheles, and other genera, family Culicidae

Origin:

late 16th century: from Spanish and Portuguese, diminutive of mosca, from Latin musca 'fly'

Spelling help

The plural of mosquito is made by adding -es: (mosquitoes).