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Definition of caddisfly

caddisfly

/ˈkæd.ɪs.flaɪ/
cad · dis · fly
Plural:caddisflies
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caddisfly Lexical Profile

caddisfly Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various moth-like insects of the order Trichoptera, typically found near freshwater habitats, whose aquatic larvae construct protective cases from sand, debris, and silk.

Example

"Trout are often seen feeding on adult caddisflies as they emerge from the river surface during a hatch."

2

An artificial fishing lure designed by anglers to imitate the natural insect in its various life stages, commonly used in fly fishing.

Example

"The angler carefully tied a specialized caddisfly to the end of his line before casting into the riffle."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for caddisfly

• Nearby Words

cad
cadaver
caddie
caddisfly
caddy
cadence
cadenced

Word Origin & Etymology

Mid-17th century: from 'caddis' (a historic term for a type of worsted yarn or ribbon, referring to the tubular cases built by the aquatic larvae) + 'fly'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Caddisfly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/caddisfly
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