Definition of "regina"

In this box the regina of the colony, surrounded by her harmonious, cleanly, industrious, skilful subjects, carries on her part of procreation, and finally hatches her numerous progeny, called by Bee-masters the larvæ. […] The Bees will immediately commence their operations in their new apartment. Thus swarming is effectually prevented; and thus the Queen gains a vast addition to her dominions, and consequently additional space for the population of her momentarily enlarged domicile. There is now no want of store-house room, nor of employment, for our indefatigable labourers. And while the subjects are employed in collecting, and manufacturing (if I may so say) their various materials, the regina is engaged in carrying on the great, first principle of nature—the propagation of her species.

1832, Thomas Nutt, “Bee-Boxes and Managament of Bees in them”, in Humanity to Honey Bees: or, Practical Directions for the Management of Honey Bees upon an Improved and Humane Plan, […], Wisbech, Cambridgeshire: […] H. and J. Leach, […], pages 34 and 37

Chiri says: “Pouf, child! That is not because she is grand. The Regina Margherita is grander, and she bows and smiles a dozen ways all at once. It is the heart.” Chiri says that—but if it is only the heart, she herself would make a very grand lady because her heart is of gold; and her smile is better than the regina’s, although some of her teeth are quite gone, and her skin is dark like the castagnola. […] “ […] But it has the bicyclists attending!” / “That is true. Then it must belong to the Queen Margherita!” / “It is not the regina’s coachman!” / “Parbleu, you are right! Then it may be the foreign prince who is visiting!”

1910, Olive M. Briggs, The Fir and the Palm, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, pages 94 and 287

He is, in any case, extremist enough to have decided to assassinate the Queen, out of frustration with his ‘token life, token education, token job, token family.’ He impresses Percy with his proposal to restore the ‘Ancient Kingdom of Northumbria’ and persuades him to help with the ‘reginicide.’ But the regina changes her route […]

1977, The Spectator, page 28, column 3

George No. Don’t ring the … / (Ruby rings the bell several times.) / Ruby Thank you. The Regina is rapidly approaching./ […] / Ruby AND SMILE – A TRIUMPHANT REGINA IS LANDING ON THE LAWN. / George WILL YOU STOP SAYING THAT. We don’t talk about reginas. / Ruby So it’s David. / George Her Majesty is not a … not in the vernacular. It’s official. For coins …

2006, Vanessa Brooks, Queen’s English, London: Josef Weinberger Plays, pages 63 and 75