shadfly

[ shad-flahy ]
/ ˈʃædˌflaɪ /

noun, plural shad·flies.

Origin of shadfly

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40; so called because they hatch at the time of year when shad are running

Example sentences from the Web for shadfly

  • We met with ephemer (shadfly) midway, about a mile from the shore, and they evidently fly over the whole lake.

    The Maine Woods |Henry David Thoreau