nectary

[ nek-tuh-ree ]

noun

, plural nec·ta·ries.

1. Botany. an organ or part that secretes nectar.
2. Entomology. a cornicle (formerly thought to secrete honeydew).

nectary

/ ˈnɛktərɪ; nɛkˈtɛərɪəl /

noun

1. any of various glandular structures secreting nectar that occur in the flowers, leaves, stipules, etc, of a plant
2. any of the abdominal tubes in aphids through which honeydew is secreted

Derived Forms

• nectarial, adjective

Other Words From

• necta·ried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nectary¹

From the New Latin word nectarium, dating back to 1590–1600. See nectar, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of nectary¹

C18: from New Latin nectarium, from nectar

Example Sentences

The study, recently published in Nature Communications, revealed that ferns and flowering plants independently evolved nectaries, specialized structures that secrete sugary rewards to attract ant bodyguards, around the same time in the Cretaceous period.

From Science Daily

The moth uses its proboscis to suck nectar by inserting it through a tiny opening into the floral nectaries, seemingly effortlessly and in a matter of seconds.

From Science Daily

They open their fragrant nectaries at night in hopes of seducing night-flying moths for pollination.

From Seattle Times

At least two of the flowers are definitely "designed" to be pollinated by animals with long tongues, as they have deep nectaries.

From BBC

The flowers are large, yellow, scented and a little drooping, with a corolla deeply cleft into six lobes, and a central bell-shaped nectary, which is crisped at the margin.

From Project Gutenberg