subs. (common).—A gauzy film or ‘crust,’ in port and some other wines, the result of age. Hence BEESWINGED.

1

  1846.  THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, III., 26. Scott from under bushy eyebrows winked at the apparition of a BEESWING.

2

  1850.  D. JERROLD, The Catspaw, i. Whereupon, the animal spirits are held in suspense, like—like the BEES-WING in port.

3

  1860.  T. P. THOMPSON, Audi Alteram Partem, III, cxiv. 44. His richer or more showy neighbour … is curious in ‘BEE’S WING.’

4

  1864.  TENNYSON, Aylmer’s Field, 405.

                            Fetch’d
His richest BEESWING from a binn reserved
For banquets.

5

  1873.  FITZEDWARD HALL, Modern English, 32. This port is not presentable unless BEESWINGED.

6

  1880.  BROWNING, Dramatic Idylls, II. 47. Too much BEE’S-WING floats my figure.

7

  OLD BEESWING, subs. phr. (common).—One who ‘takes to his liquor kindly’: also a generally jocular address.

8

  1868.  MARK LEMON, Golden Fetters, II., p. 74. Mr. Clendon did not call Mr. Barnard ‘old cock,’ ‘old fellow,’ or OLD BEESWING.

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