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. ]