A.gadfly, breese, prob. Tabanus bovinus, an insect which infests cattle, “τὰς μέν τ᾽ αἰόλος οἶ. ἐφορμηθεὶς ἐδόνησεν, ὥρῃ ἐν εἰαρινῇ” Od.22.300 ; of the fly that tormented Io, A.Supp.541(lyr.), Pr.567 sq. (lyr.) (also called μύωψ, ib.675, Supp.308 : but the two are distd. by Arist.HA490a20,596b14).
2. an insect that infests tunny-fish, prob. Brachiella thynni, ib.557a27,602a28.
3. a small insectivorous bird, perh. Sylvia trochilus, ib.592b22.
II. metaph., a sting, anything that drives mad, “κεραυνοῦ οἶ.” E.HF862 ; “οἴστροις Ἐρινύων” Id.IT1456 : abs., the smart of pain, agony, S.Tr.1254.
2. any vehement desire, insane passion, Hdt.2.93, E.Hipp.1300, Pl.R.577e, etc.; “ὄρεξις μετὰ οἴστρου καὶ ἀδημονίας” Epicur.Fr.483 : c. gen. objecti, κτεάνων for wealth, AP11.389(Lucill.): generally, madness. frenzy, S.Ant.1002, E.Or.791 : pl., Id.Ba.665 ; “μανιάδες οἶ.” Id.IA548(lyr.).
III. a throw at dice, Eub.57.5.