\Gnat\, n. [AS. gn[ae]t.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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}.

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.

{Gnat catcher} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of small
   American singing birds, of the genus {Polioptila}, allied
   to the kinglets.

{Gnat flower}, the bee flower.

{Gnat hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the European goatsucker; -- called
   also {gnat owl}.

{Gnat snapper} (Zo["o]l.), a bird that catches gnats.

{Gnat strainer}, a person ostentatiously punctilious about
   trifles. Cf. --Matt. xxiii. 24.