noun / verb
honeycomb
HUN-ee-kohm/ˈhʌnikəʊm/
A structure of many small cells or cavities, especially the wax cells made by bees.
The honeycomb contains rows of six-sided wax cells.
Etymology
Honey and comb first named the bees’ cellular structure; the name later extended to other structures resembling it. Why a honeycomb was likened to a comb is unclear.
In context
the honeybees ability to produce honeycomb in the efficient hexagonal shape
More examples
- Small tunnels honeycomb the soft rock.
- The honeycomb holds stores of food for the colony.
- The material's honeycomb structure makes it light but strong.
Forms
honeycomb · honeycombs · honeycombed · honeycombing