honey

hon•ey

[[t]ˈhʌn i[/t]] n. pl. hon•eys,

1) ent a sweet viscid fluid produced by bees from the nectar collected from flowers and stored in nests or hives as food

2) coo this substance as used in cooking or as a spread or sweetener

3) bot the nectar of flowers

4) any of various similarly sweet viscid products produced by insects or in other ways

5) something sweet, delicious, or delightful:

the honey of flattery[/ex]

6) off cvb inf sex Informal.

a) sweetheart; darling

b) (sometimes cap.) an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, subordinates, etc.)

7) inf Informal. something especially good of its kind:

a honey of a car[/ex]

8) of or like honey; sweet

9) containing honey

10) to talk flatteringly or endearingly to (often fol. by up)

11) to sweeten or flavor with or as if with honey

12) to use flattery, endearing terms, etc., in an effort to obtain something (often fol. by up)

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME hony, OE hunig, c. OS honeg, -ig, OHG hona(n)g, ON hunang usage: Definition6bis an affectionate term of address used to a child, sweetheart, etc. However, when used in the workplace or in social interactions with strangers, it is sometimes perceived as insulting or intrusive.