Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
ambrosia
am-bro′sia
(ăm-brō′zhȧ orăm-brō′zhĭ-ȧ; 277)
, Noun.
[L.
ambrosia
, Gr. ἀμβροσία
, properly fem. of ἀμβρόσιος
, fr. ἄμβροτοσ
immortal, divine; ἀ
priv. + βροτόσ
mortal (because it was supposed to confer immortality on those who partook of it). βροτόσ
stands for μροτός
, akin to Skr. mṛita
, 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.
His dewy locks distilled
ambrosia
. Milton.
2.
A perfumed unguent, salve, or draught; something very pleasing to the taste or smell.
Spenser.
3.
Formerly, a kind of fragrant plant; now (Bot.), a genus of plants, including some coarse and worthless weeds, called ragweed, hogweed, etc.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ambrosia
AMBRO'SIA
,Noun.
1.
In heathen antiquity, the imaginary food of the gods. Hence,2.
Whatever is very pleasing to the taste or smell. The name has also been given to certain alexipharmic compositions.