nectar

[ nek-ter ]
/ ˈnɛk tər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR nectar ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the saccharine secretion of a plant, which attracts the insects or birds that pollinate the flower.
the juice of a fruit, especially when not diluted, or a blend of fruit juices: pear nectar; tropical nectar.
Classical Mythology. the life-giving drink of the gods.Compare ambrosia(def 1).
any delicious drink.

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Origin of nectar

1545–55; < Latin < Greek néktar

OTHER WORDS FROM nectar

nec·tar·like, adjective

Words nearby nectar

necrotizing fasciitis, necrotizing sialometaplasia, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, necrotomy, necrotroph, nectar, nectareous, nectariferous, nectarine, nectarivorous, nectarize
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to nectar

honey, ambrosia, drink, wine, amrita

Example sentences from the Web for nectar

British Dictionary definitions for nectar

nectar
/ (ˈnɛktə) /

noun

a sugary fluid produced in the nectaries of plants and collected by bees and other animals
classical myth the drink of the godsCompare ambrosia (def. 1)
any delicious drink, esp a sweet one
something very pleasant or welcomeyour words are nectar to me
mainly US
  1. the undiluted juice of a fruit
  2. a mixture of fruit juices

Derived forms of nectar

nectareous (nɛkˈtɛərɪəs) or nectarous, adjective

Word Origin for nectar

C16: via Latin from Greek néktar, perhaps nek- death (related to nekros corpse) + -tar, related to Sanskrit tarati he overcomes; compare Latin nex death and trans across
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for nectar

nectar
[ nĕk′tər ]

A sweet liquid secreted by plants as food to attract animals that will benefit them. Many flowers produce nectar to attract pollinating insects, birds, and bats. Bees collect nectar to make into honey. Nectar is produced in structures called nectaries. Some plants have nectaries located elsewhere, outside the flower. These provide a food source for animals such as ants which in turn defend the plant from harmful insects. Nectar consists primarily of water and varying concentrations of many different sugars, including fructose, glucose, and sucrose.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.