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honeysuckle

Syllabification: (hon·ey·suck·le)
Pronunciation: /ˈhənēˌsəkəl/
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Definition of honeysuckle

noun

  • a widely distributed climbing shrub with tubular flowers that are typically fragrant and of two colors or shades, opening in the evening for pollination by moths.
    • Genera Lonicera and Diervilla, family Caprifoliaceae (the honeysuckle family): many species, including the common Japanese honeysuckle (L. japonica), the trumpet honeysuckle (L. sempervirens), and the northern bush honeysuckle (D. lonicera). The honeysuckle family also includes such berry-bearing shrubs as guelder rose, elder, and snowberry

Origin:

Middle English honysoukil, extension of honysouke, from Old English hunigsūce (see honey, suck). It originally denoted tubular flowers, such as the red clover, which are sucked for their nectar

honeysuckle in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of honeysuckle in the British & World English dictionary
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