Definition of Nectar

1. Noun. A sweet liquid secretion that is attractive to pollinators.

Generic synonyms: Secretion

2. Noun. Fruit juice especially when undiluted.
Generic synonyms: Fruit Crush, Fruit Juice

3. Noun. (classical mythology) the food and drink of the gods; mortals who ate it became immortal.
Exact synonyms: Ambrosia
Generic synonyms: Dainty, Delicacy, Goody, Kickshaw, Treat
Category relationships: Classical Mythology
Derivative terms: Ambrosial, Nectarous

Definition of Nectar

1. n. The drink of the gods (as ambrosia was their food); hence, any delicious or inspiring beverage.

Definition of Nectar

1. Noun. (context: chiefly mythology) The drink of the gods. (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

2. Noun. (context: by extension) Any delicious drink, now especially a type of sweetened fruit juice. (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

3. Noun. (botany) The sweet liquid secreted by flowers to attract pollinating insects and birds. (defdate from 17th c.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Nectar

1. a delicious drink [n -S]

Medical Definition of Nectar

1. 1. The drink of the gods (as ambrosia was their food); hence, any delicious or inspiring beverage. 2. A sweetish secretion of blossoms from which bees make honey. Origin: L, fr. Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Nectar

necrotizing encephalomyelopathy
necrotizing encephalopathy
necrotizing enteritis
necrotizing enterocolitis
necrotizing fasciitis
necrotizing papillitis
necrotizing scleritis
necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
necrotomies
necrotomy
necrotroph
necrotrophic
necrotrophs
nectaplum
nectaplums
nectar (current term)
nectareal
nectarean
nectared
nectarel
nectareous
nectarial
nectaried
nectaries
nectariferous
nectariless
nectarine
nectarine tree
nectarines
nectarivorous

Literary usage of Nectar

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom by Charles Darwin (1876)
"BEES and various other insects must be directed by instinct to search flowers for nectar and pollen, as they act in this manner without instruction as soon ..."

2. Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society by Royal Microscopical Society, London (1882)
"The tree was covered with its newly expanded foliage, and the bees were flying from leaf to leaf; they were seen to bo collecting nectar, which was poured ..."

3. Report Upon Cotton Insects: Prepared Under the Direction of the Commissioner by John Henry Comstock (1879)
"In brief, then, we see from the examples given that nectar, wherever it occurs, may be considered as excretory, reproductive, protective, or nutritive: that ..."

4. Gray's Botanical Text-book by Asa Gray (1885)
"It is the sweetish liquid commonly called the "honey "of the flower, secreted by certain specialized organs known as nectar-glands. ..."

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