nest sugar

1 definition found

nest sugar - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Trehala \Tre*ha"la\, n. (Chem.)
     An amorphous variety of manna obtained from the nests and
     cocoons of a Syrian coleopterous insect (Larinus maculatus,
     Larinus nidificans, etc.) which feeds on the foliage of a
     variety of thistle. It is used as an article of food, and is
     called also nest sugar.
     [1913 Webster]