Hŭm'ble-bee, n.

noun

n. [O. H. Ger. humbal, humpal, M. H. Ger. humbel, N. H. Ger. hummel, D. hommel, Dan. humle, Sw. humla; probably from hum, q. v. Cf. BUMBLEBEE.] (Entom.) A large, hairy bee, of a black color, with bands of yellow or orange, constituting the genus Bombus; a bumblebee.

☞ The bees of this genus form societies as the honey-bee does, but construct their hives under ground.