nectar

[ nek-ter ]
See synonyms for nectar on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the saccharine secretion of a plant, which attracts the insects or birds that pollinate the flower.

  2. the juice of a fruit, especially when not diluted, or a blend of fruit juices: pear nectar; tropical nectar.

  1. Classical Mythology. the life-giving drink of the gods.: Compare ambrosia (def. 1).

  2. any delicious drink.

Origin of nectar

1
1545–55; <Latin <Greek néktar

Other words from nectar

  • nec·tar·like, adjective

Words Nearby nectar

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How to use nectar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nectar

nectar

/ (ˈnɛktə) /


noun
  1. a sugary fluid produced in the nectaries of plants and collected by bees and other animals

  2. classical myth the drink of the gods: Compare ambrosia (def. 1)

  1. any delicious drink, esp a sweet one

  2. something very pleasant or welcome: your words are nectar to me

  3. mainly US

    • the undiluted juice of a fruit

    • a mixture of fruit juices

Origin of nectar

1
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

Derived forms of nectar

  • nectareous (nɛkˈtɛərɪəs) or nectarous, adjective

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

[ nĕktər ]


  1. 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.

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