GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Drone , n. [OE. drane a dronebee, AS. drān; akin to OS. drān, OHG. treno, G. drohne, Dan. drone, cf. Gr. > a kind of wasp, dial. Gr. > drone. Prob. named fr. the droning sound. See Drone, v. i.]
- (Zool.) The male of bees, esp. of the honeybee. It gathers no honey. See Honeybee.1913 Webster
All with united force combine to drive
The lazy drones from the laborious hive.Dryden.1913 Webster - One who lives on the labors of others; a lazy, idle fellow; a sluggard.1913 Webster
By living as a drone,to be an unprofitable and unworthy member of so noble and learned a society.
Burton.1913 Webster - That which gives out a grave or monotonous tone or dull sound; as: (a) A drum. [Obs.] Halliwell. (b) The part of the bagpipe containing the two lowest tubes, which always sound the key note and the fifth.1913 Webster
- A humming or deep murmuring sound.1913 Webster
The monotonous drone of the wheel.
Longfellow.1913 Webster - (Mus.) A monotonous bass, as in a pastoral composition.1913 Webster
- (Zool.) The male of bees, esp. of the honeybee. It gathers no honey. See Honeybee.
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Drone , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Droned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Droning.] [Cf. (for sense 1) D. dreunen, G. dröhnen, Icel. drynja to roar, drynr a roaring, Sw. dröna to bellow, drone, Dan. dröne, Goth. drunjus sound, Gr. > dirge, > to cry aloud, Skr. dhran to sound. Cf. Drone, n.]
- To utter or make a low, dull, monotonous, humming or murmuring sound.1913 Webster
Where the beetle wheels his droning flight.
T. Gray.1913 Webster - To love in idleness; to do nothing. “Race of droning kings.” Dryden.1913 Webster
- To utter or make a low, dull, monotonous, humming or murmuring sound.