propolis

[prop-uh-lis]

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.

propolis

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of propolis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of propolis¹

C17: via Latin from Greek: suburb, bee glue, from pro- before + polis city