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fruit fly
noun
: any of various small dipteran flies (such as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter
Examples of fruit fly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers experimented on a Drosophila – fruit fly – model, examining the F-actin in the brains of naturally aging animals.
—New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024
In 2013, neuroscientist Davi Bock and his team at the at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus dipped an adult female fruit fly brain into a hardening chemical solution.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024
Unlike moths and fruit flies, human beings bereft of memory, even as poor a memory as Montaigne’s or my own, tend to become disoriented and confused.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 19 Aug. 2024
Gnats, fruit flies or drain flies were found at several places to eat, including Terra Mediterranean Restaurant at 2405 Dallas Parkway, Taverna Legacy at 7400 Windrose Ave., The Brass Tap at 5805 Preston Road and Bottle Rockets at 5800 Legacy Drive.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fruit fly
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1753, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near fruit fly
Cite this Entry
“Fruit fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit%20fly. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
fruit fly
noun
: any of various small two-winged flies whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter
Medical Definition
fruit fly
noun
: any of various small dipteran flies (as a drosophila) whose larvae feed on fruit or decaying vegetable matter
More from Merriam-Webster on fruit fly
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fruit fly
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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