- Myrmecocystus melliger
- Honey Hon"ey (h[u^]n"[y^]), n. [OE. honi, huni, AS. hunig;
akin to OS. honeg, D. & G. honig, OHG. honag, honang, Icel.
hunang, Sw. h[*a]ning, Dan. honning, cf. Gr. ko`nis dust,
Skr. ka[.n]a grain.]
1. A sweet viscid fluid, esp. that collected by bees from
flowers of plants, and deposited in the cells of the
honeycomb.
[1913 Webster]
2. That which is sweet or pleasant, like honey. [1913 Webster]
The honey of his language. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. Sweet one; -- a term of endearment. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Note: Honey is often used adjectively or as the first part of compound; as, honeydew or honey dew; honey guide or honeyguide; honey locust or honey-locust. [1913 Webster]
{Honey ant} (Zo["o]l.), a small ant ({Myrmecocystus melliger}), found in the Southwestern United States, and in Mexico, living in subterranean formicares. There are larger and smaller ordinary workers, and others, which serve as receptacles or cells for the storage of honey, their abdomens becoming distended to the size of a currant. These, in times of scarcity, regurgitate the honey and feed the rest.
{Honey badger} (Zo["o]l.), the ratel.
{Honey bear}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Kinkajou}.
{Honey buzzard} (Zo["o]l.), a bird related to the kites, of the genus {Pernis}. The European species is {Pernis apivorus}; the Indian or crested honey buzzard is {Pernis ptilorhyncha}. They feed upon honey and the larv[ae] of bees. Called also {bee hawk}, {bee kite}.
{Honey guide} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of small birds of the family {Indicatorid[ae]}, inhabiting Africa and the East Indies. They have the habit of leading persons to the nests to wild bees. Called also {honeybird}, and {indicator}.
{Honey harvest}, the gathering of honey from hives, or the honey which is gathered. --Dryden.
{Honey kite}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Honey buzzard} (above).
{Honey locust} (Bot.), a North American tree ({Gleditschia triacanthos}), armed with thorns, and having long pods with a sweet pulp between the seeds.
{Honey month}. Same as {Honeymoon}.
{Honey weasel} (Zo["o]l.), the ratel. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
