honey: Meaning and Definition of

hon•ey

Pronunciation: (hun'ē), [key]
— n., pl. adj., v., hon•eys, hon•eyed 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. 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. 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. to talk flatteringly or endearingly to (often fol. by up).
  2. to sweeten or flavor with or as if with honey.
—v.i.
  1. 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.
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