Gnat

Only in Matt. 23:24, a small two-winged stinging fly of the genus Culex, which includes mosquitoes. Our Lord alludes here to the gnat in a proverbial expression probably in common use, “who strain out the gnat;” the words in the Authorized Version, “strain at a gnat,” being a mere typographical error, which has been corrected in the Revised Version. The custom of filtering wine for this purpose was common among the Jews. It was founded on Lev. 11:23. It is supposed that the “lice,” Ex. 8:16 (marg. R.V., “sand-flies”), were a species of gnat.

a species of mosquito mentioned only in the proverbial expression used by our Saviour in (Matthew 23:21)

GNAT. Matt 23:24. This insect, a species of "mosquito," is common in hot countries. In the passage cited, the words "strain at" (a typographical error) should rather be "strain out;" the phrase will then better express the gross inconsistencies which our Saviour reproved.

GNAT. Matt 23:24. This insect, a species of "mosquito," is common in hot countries. In the passage cited, the words "strain at" (a typographical error) should rather be "strain out;" the phrase will then better express the gross inconsistencies which our Saviour reproved.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A blood-sucking dipterous fly, of the genus Culex, undergoing a metamorphosis in water. The females have a proboscis armed with needlelike organs for penetrating the skin of animals. These are wanting in the males. In America they are generally called mosquitoes. See Mosquito.

2. Any fly resembling a Culex in form or habits; esp., in America, a small biting fly of the genus Simulium and allies, as the buffalo gnat, the black fly, etc. Gnat catcher (Zoöl.), one of several species of small American singing birds, of the genus Polioptila, allied to the kinglets. -- Gnat flower, the bee flower. -- Gnat hawk (Zoöl.), the European goatsucker; -- called also gnat owl. -- Gnat snapper (Zoöl.), a bird that catches gnats. -- Gnat strainer, a person ostentatiously punctilious about trifles. Cf. Matt. xxiii. 24.