humblebee, hombelbe, hombulbe, humbylbee

1. Entom.: The genus Bombus (q. v.). Called also and more accurately the Bumble-bee. "The honey bags steal from the humble -bees." Shakesp.: Midsummer Night's Dream , iii. 1. 2. Biol.: Mr. Darwin has shown that the humblebees fertilize various plants by unintentionally brushing off the pollen when they are seeking honey in one flower, and carrying it, adhering to the hairs of their body, till they unwittingly clean it off against the pistil of some other individual of the same species. The field-mouse preys upon them, the cat in turn devouring the field-mouse. The fertilization of certain plants may, therefore, be better performed near towns, where cats and consequently humble-bees are more numerous than in the country. hum-ble-ne , s. [Eng. humble;-ne .] Humility; meekne ; absence of pride or arrogance; lowline of spirit. "A wandering pilgrim's humblene ." Words worth: White Doe of Rylstone , vii. humbler, s . [Eng. humbl (e); -er.] One who or that which humbles or reduces pride or arro gance.