: any of numerous social bees of Melipona and related genera (family Apidae) mainly of tropical America that lack a sting and store honey in waxen cells much like the hive bee to which they are related
* * *
any of certain social, honey-producing tropical bees of the family Apidae, as of the genus Melipona, having a nonfunctional stinger.
[1855-60]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.