propolis

[ prop-uh-lis ]
/ ˈprɒp ə lɪs /

noun

a reddish resinous cement collected by bees from the buds of trees, used to stop up crevices in the hives, strengthen the cells, etc.
Also called bee glue.

Origin of propolis

1350–1400; < Latin < Greek própolis bee glue, literally, outskirts of a city (see pro-2, -polis), apparently orig. 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

Example sentences from the Web for propolis

British Dictionary definitions for propolis

propolis
/ (ˈprɒpəlɪs) /

noun

a greenish-brown resinous aromatic substance collected by bees from the buds of trees for use in the construction of hives Also called: bee glue, hive dross

Word Origin for propolis

C17: via Latin from Greek: suburb, bee glue, from pro- before + polis city