'Robber fly' definitions:

Definition of 'robber fly'

noun

Swift predatory fly having a strong body like a bee with the proboscis hardened for sucking juices of other insects captured on the wing [syn: robber fly, bee killer]

Definition of 'Robber fly'

From: GCIDE

Robber \Rob"ber\, n. One who robs; in law, one who feloniously takes goods or money from the person of another by violence or by putting him in fear. [1913 Webster]
Some roving robber calling to his fellows. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Thief; depredator; despoiler; plunderer; pillager; rifler; brigang; freebooter; pirate. See Thief. [1913 Webster]
Robber crab. (Zool.) (a) A purse crab. (b) Any hermit crab.
Robber fly. (Zool.) Same as Hornet fly, under Hornet.
Robber gull (Zool.), a jager gull. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'robber fly'

From: GCIDE

Hornet \Hor"net\, n. [AS. hyrnet; akin to OHG. hornaz, hornuz, G. horniss; perh. akin to E. horn, and named from the sound it makes as if blowing the horn; but more prob. akin to D. horzel, Lith. szirszone, L. crabo.] (Zool.) A large, strong wasp. The European species (Vespa crabro) is of a dark brown and yellow color. It is very pugnacious, and its sting is very severe. Its nest is constructed of a paperlike material, and the layers of comb are hung together by columns. The American white-faced hornet ({Vespa maculata}) is larger and has similar habits. [1913 Webster]
Hornet fly (Zool.), any dipterous insect of the genus Asilus, and allied genera, of which there are numerous species. They are large and fierce flies which capture bees and other insects, often larger than themselves, and suck their blood. Called also hawk fly, robber fly.
To stir up a hornet's nest, to provoke the attack of a swarm of spiteful enemies or spirited critics. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]