floral-feeding
|flo/ral-feed/ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈflɔrəl ˈfiːdɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈflɒrəl ˈfiːdɪŋ/
feeding on flowers
Etymology
'floral-feeding' is a modern compound formed from the adjective 'floral' (relating to flowers) + the present-participle 'feeding' (from 'feed').
'floral' originates from Latin 'flōrālis' (from 'flōs', 'flower'), while 'feeding' descends from Old English 'fēdan' (to nourish). The compound 'floral-feeding' is a contemporary English formation combining these elements to describe feeding behavior associated with flowers.
Initially, the elements meant 'pertaining to flowers' and 'to give nourishment/consume'; combined in modern usage they specifically describe organisms that feed on flowers or their resources.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
feeding on or obtaining nutrition from flowers (including nectar, pollen, or floral tissues). Often used to describe insects or other animals that visit or consume parts of flowers.
Many bee species are floral-feeding and play key roles in pollination.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/14 07:17