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The social wasps make a complex series of combs, of a substance like stiff paper, often of large size,
and protect them by a paperlike covering. The larvæ are reared in the cells of the combs, and eat insects
and insect larvæ brought to them by the adults, but the latter feed mainly on the honey and pollen of flowers,
and on the sweet juices of fruit. See Illust. in Appendix.
Digger wasp, any one of numerous species of solitary wasps that make their nests in burrows which
they dig in the ground, as the sand wasps. See Sand wasp, under Sand. - - Mud wasp. See under
Mud. — Potter wasp. See under Potter. — Wasp fly, a species of fly resembling a wasp, but without
a sting.
Waspish
(Wasp"ish) a.
1. Resembling a wasp in form; having a slender waist, like a wasp.
2. Quick to resent a trifling affront; characterized by snappishness; irritable; irascible; petulant; snappish.
He was naturally a waspish and hot man. Bp. Hall.
Much do I suffer, much, to keep in peace
This jealous, waspish, wrong-head, rhyming race. Pope. Syn. — Snappish; petulant; irritable; irascible; testy; peevish; captious.
— Wasp"ish*ly, adv. — Wasp"ish*ness, n.
Wassail
(Was"sail) n. [AS. wes hal (or an equivalent form in another dialect) be in health, which was
the form of drinking a health. The form wes is imperative. See Was, and Whole.]
1. An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the daughter
of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine, exclaimed,
Lord king wæs heil, that is, literally, Health be to you. N. Drake. 2. An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. "In
merry wassail he . . . peals his loud song." Sir W. Scott.
The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail. Shak.
The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail. Prescott. 3. The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly much used in England at Christmas and
other festivals, made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast, roasted apples, etc.; — called
also lamb's wool.
A jolly wassail bowl,
A wassail of good ale. Old Song. 4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]
Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy ditty, I'll assure you. Beau. & Fl. Wassail
(Was"sail), a. Of or pertaining to wassail, or to a wassail; convivial; as, a wassail bowl. "Awassail
candle, my lord, all tallow." Shak.
Wassail bowl, a bowl in which wassail was mixed, and placed upon the table. "Spiced wassail bowl."
J. Fletcher. "When the cloth was removed, the butler brought in a huge silver vessel . . . Its appearance
was hailed with acclamation, being the wassail bowl so renowned in Christmas festivity." W. Irving. —
Wassail cup, a cup from which wassail was drunk.
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