topswarm

Etymology

From top + swarm.

topswarm means the initial swarm of bees leaving a hive. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 100 out of 100.

noun

The initial swarm of bees leaving a hive.“My first topswarm came off on the 25th June, and a second top on the day following; both were put into skeps of one size, and appeared to be equal as regards the number of Bees.”