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 ( see 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