Dictionary
hon•ey
Pronunciation: (hun'ē), [key]
—n., pl. hon•eys,
—adj., v., hon•eyed or hon•ied, hon•ey•ing.
—
n.
1. a sweet, viscid fluid produced by bees from the nectar collected from flowers, and stored in nests or hives as food.
2. this substance as used in cooking or as a spread or sweetener.
3. the nectar of flowers.
4. any of various similarly sweet, viscid products produced by insects or in other ways.
5. something sweet, delicious, or delightful:
the honey of flattery.
6. Informal.a person for whom one feels love or deep affection; sweetheart; darling.
7. (sometimes cap.) an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., esp. by a male to a female).
8. Informal.something of esp. high quality, degree of excellence, etc.:
That's a honey of a computer.
—
adj.
1. of, like, or pertaining to honey; sweet.
2. containing honey or flavored or sweetened with honey.
—
v.t.
1. Informal.to talk flatteringly or endearingly to (often fol. by
up).
2. to sweeten or flavor with or as if with honey.
—
v.i.
Informal.to use flattery, endearing terms, etc., in an effort to obtain something (often fol. by
up):
They always got what they wanted by honeying up to their grandfather. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
