Gnatoo

/nəˈtu/ noun

Definition

A small parasitic mite or gnat-like arthropod that infests animals, sometimes called a chigger or similar pest.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; possibly from gnat combined with a reduplication or suffix, or borrowed from a non-English language; used as a colloquial term for parasitic mites.

Kelly Says

Regional and folk names for parasitic mites vary wildly—gnatoo is one of those words that shows how people create their own names for pests before scientists get involved!

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