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.
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2. That which is sweet or pleasant, like honey.
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The honey of his language. --Shak.
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3. Sweet one; -- a term of endearment. --Chaucer.
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Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus. --Shak.
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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.
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Honey ant (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), the ratel.
Honey bear. (Zool.) See Kinkajou.
Honey buzzard (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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. (Zool.) 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 (Zool.), the ratel.
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