honey-sucker, noun
- Origin:
- English, South African EnglishShow more Special senses of general English honey-sucker a name used of any creature feeding on honey, including various birds; or formed in South African English.
1. honey-guide.
[1731 G. Medley tr. of P. Kolben’s Present State of Cape of G.H. II. 155These Gnat-snappers, or Honey-eaters are a sort of guides to the Hottentots in the search of honey.]
1835 A. Steedman Wanderings I. 189The little honey-sucker, or indicator, kept fluttering before us with its cry of cherr, cherr.
2. Any of several species of small, long-beaked sunbirds of the Nectariniidae, the males of which have brightly-coloured plumage, often containing metallic green feathers; sugarbird sense 2; suikerbekje. See also Jangroentjie sense 1.
- Note:
- See note at sunbird.
1853 F.P. Fleming Kaffraria 76The many species of gaudy little humming-birds, honey-suckers..would amply claim and repay the..talents of a second ‘Gosse.’
Any of several species of small, long-beaked sunbirds of the Nectariniidae, the males of which have brightly-coloured plumage, often containing metallic green feathers; sugarbird sense 2; suikerbekje.
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