2. (Mach.) A pressure gauge; a water gauge, as for a steam
boiler; an apparatus or instrument for showing the working
of a machine or moving part; as:
(a) (Steam Engine) An instrument which draws a diagram
showing the varying pressure in the cylinder of an
engine or pump at every point of the stroke. It
consists of a small cylinder communicating with the
engine cylinder and fitted with a piston which the
varying pressure drives upward more or less against
the resistance of a spring. A lever imparts motion to
a pencil which traces the diagram on a card wrapped
around a vertical drum which is turned back and forth
by a string connected with the piston rod of the
engine. See {Indicator card} (below).
(b) A telltale connected with a hoisting machine, to show,
at the surface, the position of the cage in the shaft
of a mine, etc.
2. That which is sweet or pleasant, like honey.
The honey of his language. --Shak.
3. Sweet one; -- a term of endearment. --Chaucer.
Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus. --Shak.
Note: Honey is often used adjectively or as the first part of
compound; as, honeydew or honey dew; honey guide or
honeyguide; honey locust or honey-locust.
{Honey ant} (Zo["o]l.), a small ant ({Myrmecocystus
melliger}), found in the Southwestern United States, and
in Mexico, living in subterranean formicares. There are
larger and smaller ordinary workers, and others, which
serve as receptacles or cells for the storage of honey,
their abdomens becoming distended to the size of a
currant. These, in times of scarcity, regurgitate the
honey and feed the rest.
{Honey badger} (Zo["o]l.), the ratel.
{Honey bear}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Kinkajou}.
{Honey buzzard} (Zo["o]l.), a bird related to the kites, of
the genus {Pernis}. The European species is {P. apivorus};
the Indian or crested honey buzzard is {P. ptilorhyncha}.
They feed upon honey and the larv[ae] of bees. Called also
{bee hawk}, {bee kite}.
{Honey creeper} (Zo["o]l.), one of numerous species of small,
bright, colored, passerine birds of the family
{C[oe]rebid[ae]}, abundant in Central and South America.
{Honey easter} (Zo["o]l.), one of numerous species of small
passerine birds of the family {Meliphagid[ae]}, abundant
in Australia and Oceania; -- called also {honeysucker}.
{Honey flower} (Bot.), an evergreen shrub of the genus
{Melianthus}, a native of the Cape of Good Hope. The
flowers yield much honey.
{Honey guide} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of small
birds of the family {Indicatorid[ae]}, inhabiting Africa
and the East Indies. They have the habit of leading
persons to the nests to wild bees. Called also
{honeybird}, and {indicator}.
{Honey harvest}, the gathering of honey from hives, or the
honey which is gathered. --Dryden.
{Honey kite}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Honey buzzard} (above).
{Honey locust} (Bot.), a North American tree ({Gleditschia
triacanthos}), armed with thorns, and having long pods
with a sweet pulp between the seeds.
{Honey month}. Same as {Honeymoon}.
{Honey weasel} (Zo["o]l.), the ratel.