honeydew

[ huhn-ee-doo, -dyoo ]

noun

1. honeydew melon.
2. the sweet material that exudes from the leaves of certain plants in hot weather.
3. a sugary material secreted by aphids, leafhoppers, scale insects, psyllids, and other homopterous insects.

honeydew

/ ˈhʌnɪˌdjuː /

noun

1. a sugary substance excreted by aphids and similar insects
2. a similar substance exuded by certain plants
3. See honeydew melon
   short for honeydew melon

Derived Forms

• ˈhoneyˌdewed, adjective

Other Words From

• honey·dewed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of honeydew¹

First recorded in 1570–80; honey + dew

Example Sentences

When the ants wish a dainty luncheon of honeydew they crawl up under the little shed and get a drink of this sweet juice.

From Project Gutenberg

They found the old honeydew cherry-tree standing; but some of its long-armed branches were going to decay.

From Project Gutenberg

The Aphides have the habit of discharging a sweet sticky substance called honeydew, of which ants are very fond.

From Project Gutenberg

The chief cause, however, is mildew, the sign of whose presence is the honeydew on the oak leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

And I smoked a pipe of pipes with some splendid old salts, and shared my Honeydew among them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• papaya
• watermelon