I.abl. sing. melli, Plaut. Truc. 2, 4, 20.—Gen. and dat. plur. obsol. acc. to Prisc. p. 744 P.), n. Gr. μέλι, honey; μέλισσα, bee; cf. mulsus, honey.
I. Lit.: “hoc est melli dulci dulcius,” Plaut. Truc. 2, 4, 20 (Spengel, dulce): “villa abundat lacte, caseo, melle,” Cic. Sen. 16, 56; cf. Plin. 11, 14, 14, § 33: “roscida mella,” Verg. E. 4, 30: “mellis vindemia,” Col. 9, 15, 1.—
II. Trop., honey for sweetness, pleasantness: “poëtica mella,” Hor. Ep. 1, 19, 44: “hoc juvat et melli est,” is pleasant, id. S. 2, 6, 32.—Of sweetness, pleasantness of speech: “Nestoreum mel, Auct. Pan. ad Pison. 64: Homerici senis mella,” Plin. Ep. 4, 3, 3.— “Prov.: quia te tango, mel mihi videor lingere,” it seems to me as sweet as honey, Plaut. Cas. 2, 8, 21: “mella petere in medio flumine,” of a vain search, Ov. A. A. 1, 748. —As a term of endearment, darling, sweet, honey: “meum mel, meum cor,” Plaut. Poen. 1, 2, 157; 173; id. Curc. 1, 3, 8; id. Trin. 2, 1, 18: Sempronium, mel ac delicias tuas, Cael. ap. Cic. Fam. 8, 8, 1.
