tabanus

[Lat.=a gadfly (q. v.).] Entom.: The type-genus of Tabanide (q. v.). Antenne three-jointed, the last joint deeply notched at the side and ringed near the tip. "As in her ancient mistre ' lap The youthful tabby lay." Cowper : Familiarity Dangerous. 4. An old maiden lady; an old spinster; a go ip. ( Colloq .) "I am not sorry for the coming in of these old tabbies , and am much obliged to her ladyship for leaving us to such an agreeable tête-à-tête." - G. Colman the Elder: Jealous Wife , ii. 3. II. Entom .: A common European moth, A glo a pinguin a lis , one of the Pyralites; grayish-brown, clouded with a darker color; hind wings grayish brown; larva seen on greasy horse-cloths, . The Small Tabby is A glo a cup real is , and has the hind wings whitish. It is rarer.