ˈfire-fly
[f. fire n.]
1. A lampyrid or elaterid insect which has the property of emitting phosphorescent light.
| 1658 Rowland Moufet's Theat. Ins. 1019 Of the Fire-fly. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 432 The larger Fire Fly. 1814 Cary Dante's Inf. xxvi. 31 Fire-flies innumerous spangling o'er the vale. 1880 Ouida Moths II. 262 Where the fire-flies flash amongst the lemon blossoms and the myrtle. |
2. a. attrib. and Comb.
| 1806 Moore Lake Dismal Swamp ii, Her fire-fly lamp I soon shall see. 1858 Bushnell Serm. New Life 189 A mere fire-fly spark in comparison. 1876 Ouida Winter City, vii. 183 Such as echo through the firefly-lighted corn. |
b. fig.
| [1897 Sears, Roebuck Catal. 162/2 The ‘Fire-Fly’ Single Wheel Hoe.] 1948 A. Toynbee Civilization on Trial i. 9 Those pages teeming with firefly flashes of historical insight. 1965 Sunday Mail Mag. (Brisbane) 15 Aug. 5/2 The nearest firefly flash of expression came into the generalissimo's face. |