Misletoe

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Misletoe \Mis"le*toe\, n.
     See {Mistletoe}.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:



  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]