Midge (?), n. [OE. migge, AS. mycge; akin to OS. muggia, D. mug, G. mucke, OHG. mucca, Icel. m, Sw. mygga, mygg, Dan. myg; perh. named from its buzzing; cf. Gr. to low, bellow.] Zool.
1.
Any one of many small, delicate, long-legged flies of the Chironomus, and allied genera, which do not bite. Their larvae are usually aquatic.
2.
A very small fly, abundant in many parts of the United States and Canada, noted for the irritating quality of its bite.
⇒ The name is also applied to various other small flies. See Wheat midge, under Wheat.
© Webster 1913.