| ambrosia | n. [ L. ambrosia, Gr. 'ambrosi`a, properly fem. of 'ambro`sios, fr. 'a`mbrotos immortal, divine; 'a priv. + broto`s mortal (because it was supposed to confer immortality on those who partook of it). broto`s stands for mroto`s, akin to Skr. m&rsdot_;ita, L. mortuus, dead, and to E. mortal. ] 1. (Myth.) (a) The fabled food of the gods (as nectar was their drink), which conferred immortality upon those who partook of it. (b) An unguent of the gods. [ 1913 Webster ] His dewy locks distilled ambrosia. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A perfumed unguent, salve, or draught; something very pleasing to the taste or smell. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Formerly, a kind of fragrant plant; now (Bot.), a genus of plants, including some coarse and worthless weeds, called ragweed, hogweed, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Zool.) The food of certain small bark beetles, family Scolytidae believed to be fungi cultivated by the beetles in their burrows. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] 5. A dessert made from shredded coconuts and oranges, sometimes including other ingredients such as marshmallow. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] |
| Ambrosial | a. [ L. ambrosius, Gr. 'ambro`sios. ] 1. Consisting of, or partaking of the nature of, ambrosia; delighting the taste or smell; delicious. “Ambrosial food.” “Ambrosial fragrance.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Divinely excellent or beautiful. “Shakes his ambrosial curls.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Ambrosian | a. Of or pertaining to St. Ambrose; as, the Ambrosian office, or ritual, a formula of worship in the church of Milan, instituted by St. Ambrose. [ 1913 Webster ]
Ambrosian chant, the mode of signing or chanting introduced by St. Ambrose in the 4th century. [ 1913 Webster ]
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