mistletoe

3 definitions found

mistletoe - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mistletoe \Mis"tle*toe\, n. [AS. mistelt[=a]n; mistel mistletoe
     + t[=a]n twig. AS. mistel is akin of D., G., Dan. & Sw.
     mistel, OHG. mistil, Icel. mistilteinn; and AS. t[=a]n to D.
     teen, OHG. zein, Icel. teinn, Goth. tains. Cf. Missel.]
     (Bot.)
     A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album),
     bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it
     is rare, it was an object of superstitious regard among the
     Druids. A bird lime is prepared from its fruit. [Written also
     misletoe, misseltoe, and mistleto.] --Lindley.
     --Loudon.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The mistletoe of the United States is Phoradendron serotinum
            (syn. Phoradendron flavescens), having
           broader leaves than the European kind. In different
           regions various similar plants are called by this name.
           The mistletoe is used as a decoration at Christmas
           time, and it is a tradition that two persons of the
           oposite sex finding each other under a mistletoe sprig
           should kiss.
           [1913 Webster +PJC]

mistletoe - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  mistletoe
      n 1: American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe
           [syn: mistletoe, false mistletoe]
      2: Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems
         with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries; the
         traditional mistletoe of Christmas [syn: mistletoe, Viscum   album
         , Old World mistletoe]
      3: shrub of central and southeastern Europe; partially parasitic
         on beeches, chestnuts and oaks [syn: mistletoe, Loranthus   europaeus
         ]

mistletoe - U.S. Gazetteer (1990) :

  Mistletoe, KY
    Zip code(s): 41351