'Pernis apivorus' definitions:

Definition of 'Pernis apivorus'

From: WordNet
noun
Old World hawk that feeds on bee larvae and small rodents and reptiles [syn: honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus]

Definition of 'Pernis apivorus'

From: GCIDE
  • Honey \Hon"ey\ (h[u^]n"[y^]), n. [OE. honi, huni, AS. hunig; akin to OS. honeg, D. & G. honig, OHG. honag, honang, Icel. hunang, Sw. h[*a]ning, Dan. honning, cf. Gr. ko`nis dust, Skr. ka[.n]a grain.]
  • 1. A sweet viscid fluid, esp. that collected by bees from flowers of plants, and deposited in the cells of the honeycomb. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That which is sweet or pleasant, like honey. [1913 Webster]
  • The honey of his language. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Sweet one; -- a term of endearment. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Honey ant (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), the ratel.
  • Honey bear. (Zool.) See Kinkajou.
  • Honey buzzard (Zool.), a bird related to the kites, of the genus Pernis. The European species is Pernis apivorus; the Indian or crested honey buzzard is {Pernis ptilorhyncha}. They feed upon honey and the larv[ae] of bees. Called also bee hawk, bee kite.
  • Honey guide (Zool.), 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. (Zool.) 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 (Zool.), the ratel. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Pernis apivorus'

From: GCIDE
  • Buzzard \Buz"zard\ (b[u^]z"z[~e]rd), n.[O.E. busard, bosard, F. busard, fr. buse, L. buteo, a kind of falcon or hawk.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. (Zool.) A bird of prey of the Hawk family, belonging to the genus Buteo and related genera. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Zool.) In the United States, a term used for the {turkey vulture} (Cathartes aura), and sometimes indiscriminately to any vulture. [PJC]
  • Note: The Buteo vulgaris is the common buzzard of Europe. The American species (of which the most common are Buteo borealis, Buteo Pennsylvanicus, and {Buteo lineatus}) are usually called hen hawks. -- The rough-legged buzzard, or bee hawk, of Europe ({Pernis apivorus}) feeds on bees and their larv[ae], with other insects, and reptiles. -- The moor buzzard of Europe is Circus [ae]ruginosus. See Turkey buzzard, and Carrion buzzard. [1913 Webster]
  • Bald buzzard, the fishhawk or osprey. See Fishhawk. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A blockhead; a dunce. [1913 Webster]
  • It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a buzzard. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]