Word: honeycomb Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is derived from Middle English honycomb, from Old English huniġcamb, from huniġ (“honey”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kn̥h₂ónks (“honey”)) + camb (“comb”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵómbʰos (“peg; tooth; row of teeth”)). The English word is analysable as honey + comb. The Oxford English Dictionary posits that the arrangement of several plates of wax “hanging parallel to each other from the roof of the hive suggests a comb with its teeth”. The verb is derived from the noun. Compare Saterland Frisian Hunichmoarte (“honeycomb”), West Frisian huningskiif (“honeycomb”), Dutch honingraat (“honeycomb”), German Honigwabe (“honeycomb”). Pronunciation: /ˈhʌnikəʊm/, /ˈhʌniˌkoʊm/ 1. A substance made by bees (clade Anthophila) primarily from beeswax which has hexagonal cells to hold their larvae, and for storing pollen and honey to feed the larvae and themselves when other food is scarce; it is also eaten by humans as part of comb-honey; (countable) a single sheet made up of two layers of this substance. Labels: uncountable Example: Pleaſant words are [as] an honycombe, ſweete to the ſoule, and health to the bones. Example: So vvee read that God manifeſted by the Lots vvhich Saul cauſed to be dravvn [1 Sam[uel] 14.43.] the fault that Jonathan had committed, in eating a honey-comb, contrary to the oath taken by the people. 2. Something resembling honeycomb (noun sense 1) in having numerous cells or small holes. Labels: broadly, countable Example: The wood porch was a honeycomb of termite tunnels before we replaced it. Example: [There is in Thomas Jefferson] evidence of a mind, soured, yet seeking for popularity, and eaten to a honeycomb with ambition, yet weak, confused, uninformed, and ignorant. 3. Something resembling honeycomb (noun sense 1) in having numerous cells or small holes. Labels: broadly, countable 4. Something resembling honeycomb (noun sense 1) in having numerous cells or small holes. Labels: broadly, countable, uncountable 5. Something resembling honeycomb (noun sense 1) in having numerous cells or small holes. Labels: archaic, broadly, countable, uncountable 6. Something resembling honeycomb (noun sense 1) in having numerous cells or small holes. Labels: broadly, countable, uncountable 7. Something resembling honeycomb (noun sense 1) in having numerous cells or small holes. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, broadly, countable, ellipsis Example: A rudimentall reſemblance hereof there is in the cruciated and rugged folds of the Reticulum, or Net-like Ventricle of ruminating horned animals, vvhich is the ſecond in order, and culinarily called the Honey-comb. Example: Of the four ſtomachs vvith vvhich ruminant animals are furniſhed, the firſt is called the paunch, vvhich receives the food after it has been ſlightly chevved; the ſecond is called the honeycomb, and is properly nothing more than a continuation of the former; […] 8. Something resembling honeycomb (noun sense 1) in having numerous cells or small holes. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, broadly, ellipsis, uncountable 9. Something resembling honeycomb in sweetness; hence, something desirable or pleasant. Labels: countable, figuratively Example: [F]or he [Jesus Christ] vvas the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and from him being crucified for our ſinnes, and ſlaine for our redemption, vve receive our honey and our honey-combe, that is to ſay, peace vvith God the Father. Example: Yes, Frank, what I have is my own, if labour in getting, and care in augmenting, can make a right of property; and no drone shall feed on my honeycomb. 10. Something resembling honeycomb in sweetness; hence, something desirable or pleasant. Labels: archaic, countable, figuratively Example: Adievv; / My honey-combe hovv ſvveet thou art, […] Example: Svveet Hony-Comb, don't be ſo VVaſpiſh: […] 11. Something resembling honeycomb in sweetness; hence, something desirable or pleasant. Labels: Australia, UK, attributive, figuratively, often, uncountable Example: honeycomb toffee