vespiary

[ ves-pee-er-ee ]

noun

plural vespiaries.

1. a nest of social wasps.

vespiary

/ ˈvɛspɪərɪ /

noun

1. a nest or colony of social wasps or hornets

Word History and Origins

Origin of vespiary¹

1810–20; < Latin vesp ( a ) wasp + (ap)iary

Word History and Origins

Origin of vespiary¹

C19: from Latin vespa a wasp, on the model of apiary

Example Sentences

The background pulsing of the dishwashers, the squeal of announcements that no one hears—it is a vespiary, the Hornet haven.

From Literature