honeydews

Noun

honeydew (countable and uncountable, plural honeydews)

1. (uncountable) A sweet, sticky substance deposited on leaves and other plant parts by insects (especially aphids and scale insects) feeding on plant sap, or by fungi.
   • [T]here reſteth on the leaves of this tree a kinde of red thicke dew in the hotteſt time of Summer more then on any other tree round about it, which will be rather dry then bedewed at all, which honey dew being taken doth ſlake the thirſt wonderfully: […]1640, John Parkinson, “Nux Inglans. The Wallnut.”, in Theatrum Botanicum: The Theater of Plants. Or, An Herball of a Large Extent: […], London: […] Tho[mas] Cotes, →OCLC, page 1415

   Synonyms:

   melligo

2. (broadly, uncountable) A sweet liquid substance resembling the substance mentioned in sense 1, such as honey, nectar, or manna in the Bible.
   • [F]reſh teares / Stood on her cheeks, as doth the honie devv, / Vpon a gathred Lillie almoſt vvithered.c. 1588–1593 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Most Lamentable Romaine Tragedie of Titus Andronicus: […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, and are to be sold by Edward White & Thomas...

   Synonyms:

   ambrosia

3. (broadly, uncountable) A blackish mould (often called sooty mould) produced by fungi of the order Dothideales, feeding on the substance mentioned in sense 1.
4. (broadly, uncountable) In full honeydew tobacco: a fine sort of tobacco moistened with a sweet substance (originally molasses).
5. (broadly, uncountable) A light green colour, like the flesh of some honeydew melons.
6. (broadly, countable, figuratively) Something that is enjoyable or pleasant.
   • He was held vnworthy euer after to ſucke the Hony dew of Peace, that (againſt his comming, by whom our Peace weares a triple Wreathe) would offer to play the Droane.1604, Tho[mas] Dekker, “A Device (Projected Downe, but till Now Not Publisht,) that Should Have Serued at His Maiesties First Accesse to the Citie”, in The Magnificent Entertainment: Giuen to King...

See all 7 meanings of honeydew