Meaning
A sweet, sticky substance deposited on leaves and other plant parts by insects (especially aphids and scale insects) feeding on plant sap, or by fungi.
Etymology
Origin: Unknown
The noun is derived from honey + dew, originally believed to be a form of dew that fell from the sky like rain onto plants (see sense 1). The adjective is derived from the noun.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles, including a pangram: