bee

The definition of an bee is an insect characterized by being of the family Apoidea, having hairy bodies, feeding on pollen and nectar and storing honey.

(noun)

Yellow jackets, bumble and honey are each an example of a type of bee.

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See bee in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any of a large superfamily (Apoidea) of broad-bodied, four-winged, hairy hymenopteran insects that gather pollen and nectar, have biting as well as sucking mouthparts, and often live in organized colonies; esp., the honeybee

Origin: ME < OE beo < IE base *bhei- > Ger biene, OPrus bitte, OIr bech

noun

☆ a meeting of people to work together or to compete: a sewing bee, spelling bee

Origin: altered (prob. after bee) < dial bean, a social gathering to assist < ME bene, extra feudal service, a favor, boon < OE ben, compulsory service, request; akin to ON bon: see boon

noun

Naut. a piece of wood on each side of the bowsprit of a ship, used for fastening stays from the mast or foremast
in full bee block

Origin: ME bei, bracelet < OE beah < bugen, to bend: see bow

noun

the letter B

See bee in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. Any of several winged, hairy-bodied, usually stinging insects of the superfamily Apoidea in the order Hymenoptera, including both solitary and social species and characterized by sucking and chewing mouthparts for gathering nectar and pollen.
    b. A bumblebee.
    c. A honeybee.
  2. A social gathering where people combine work, competition, and amusement: a quilting bee.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English bēo; see bhei- in Indo-European roots

Origin: . Sense 2, perhaps alteration of dialectal bean, voluntary help given to a farmer by his neighbors

Origin: , from Middle English bene, extra service by a tenant to his lord

Origin: , from Old English bēn, prayer; see bhā-2 in Indo-European roots

.

noun
Nautical
A bee block.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English be, a ring

Origin: , from Old English bēag; see bheug- in Indo-European roots

.

noun
The letter b.

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