no-see-um

noun

nō-ˈsē-əm 

: biting midge

Word History

Etymology

from the words (as supposedly spoken by American Indians) no see um you don't see them

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

no-see-um

noun

nō-ˈsē-əm

: any of various tiny two-winged flies that bite

Etymology

from the words (as supposedly spoken by Indigenous American people) no see um "you don't see them"