propolis

American  

[prop-uh-lis] / ˈprɒp ə lɪs /

noun

1. a reddish resinous cement collected by bees from the buds of trees, used to stop up crevices in the hives, strengthen the cells, etc.

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propolis British  

/ ˈprɒpəlɪs /

noun

1. Also called: bee glue.   hive dross.  a greenish-brown resinous aromatic substance collected by bees from the buds of trees for use in the construction of hives

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Etymology

Origin of propolis

1350–1400; < Latin < Greek própolis bee glue, literally, outskirts of a city ( pro- ², -polis ), apparently originally the name for a structure around the entrance to a hive, hence applied to the glue from which it was made; replacing Middle English propoleos < Medieval Latin, for Latin propolis as above

Example Sentences

"It was interesting that it could deal with propolis, which is believed to have fungicidal properties."

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

But from the reading I’ve done on my own, it appears propolis is much more specific than beeswax — and pervasive.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2023

Not only has honey production fallen, but with it the quantity of other products such as royal jelly, bee pollen, bee venom and bee glue known as propolis.

From Reuters • Nov. 22, 2022

The bees had glued it down from the underside with propolis — a sticky substance they create with tree resin.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2021

Annoyed by this inquisitiveness, the bees resolved to put an end to it, and cemented the shutter with propolis.

From The Industries of Animals by Houssay, Frédéric