Gadfly [noun]

The gadfly does not immediately sting you; it begins by buzzing in your ears, and you do not at first know what it is.

As I shouldered my load their murmuring voices full of amorous desire stung me like a gadfly.

Then she carried out her revenge by sending an enormous gadfly to torment poor Io, who was still in the form of a heifer.

The trumpeter Gadfly and a number of his relations, besides several Grasshoppers and Bees, were the chief musicians.

She was nagged incessantly by a gadfly of conscience that buzzed in her ears the counsel to tell the police.

When a gadfly succeeds in attaining its aim, it rapidly deposits an egg or two in the nostril, and then leaves them.

Hence it came that common sense was driven wild by conscience, as forever happens with the few who keep that gadfly.

A gadfly on his neck brought a loaf, a gnat brought a cask, a butterfly a joint, and a sparrow brought grapes.

For since I roamed my fill in other continents the gadfly may no longer sting me out of my tranquil haunts.

Then suddenly an enormous gadfly flew into the room; and, lighting on his hand, stung him so badly that he roared with pain.