from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Goatsucker \Goat"suck`er\, n. (Zool.)
One of several species of insectivorous birds, belonging to
{Caprimulgus} and allied genera, esp. the European species
({Caprimulgus Europ[ae]us}); -- so called from the mistaken
notion that it sucks goats. The European species is also
{goat-milker}, {goat owl}, {goat chaffer}, {fern owl}, {night
hawk}, {nightjar}, {night churr}, {churr-owl}, {gnat hawk},
and {dorhawk}.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gnat \Gnat\, n. [AS. gn[ae]t.]
1. (Zool.) A blood-sucking dipterous fly, of the genus
{Culex}, undergoing a metamorphosis in water. The females
have a proboscis armed with needlelike organs for
penetrating the skin of animals. These are wanting in the
males. In America they are generally called mosquitoes.
See {Mosquito}.
[1913 Webster]
2. Any fly resembling a Culex in form or habits; esp., in
America, a small biting fly of the genus {Simulium} and
allies, as the buffalo gnat, the black fly, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{Gnat catcher} (Zool.), one of several species of small
American singing birds, of the genus {Polioptila}, allied
to the kinglets.
{Gnat flower}, the bee flower.
{Gnat hawk} (Zool.), the European goatsucker; -- called also
{gnat owl}.
{Gnat snapper} (Zool.), a bird that catches gnats.
{Gnat strainer}, a person ostentatiously punctilious about
trifles. Cf. --Matt. xxiii. 24.
[1913 Webster]