Spanish fly

noun

1

: a green blister beetle (Lytta vesicatoria) of southern Europe

2

: cantharis sense 2

Examples of Spanish fly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sicko The Clown hit a Spanish fly on Claxton through the light tubes. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

In January 1862, Lewis’ two white roommates accused her of poisoning their wine with Spanish fly, a toxin produced by the blister beetle, often used in those days as an aphrodisiac. — Jessica Lynne, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Feb. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Spanish fly

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Medical Definition

Spanish fly

noun

1

: a green blister beetle (Lytta vesicatoria of the family Meloidae) of southern Europe that is the source of cantharides

2

: cantharis sense 2