mimosa

mimosa Definition

mi·mosa (mi mō′sə, mī-; --zə)

noun

any of a large genus (Mimosa) of trees, shrubs, and herbs of the mimosa family, growing in warm regions and usually having bipinnate leaves, and heads or spikes of small, white, yellow, or pink flowers
any of several similar trees of this family, including the albizia
a drink made of champagne and orange juice

Etymology: ModL < L mimus: see mime: from the apparent mimicry of the sensitivity of animal life

adjective

designating a family (Mimosaceae, order Fabales) of dicotyledonous, leguminous trees and shrubs, including acacia and mesquite

mimosa Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

Provencal: Key Ingredients: White mulberry tree root, essential oil of elemi, essential oil of Provencal mimosa, essential oil of green tea.
sensitive: Sensitive mimosa ( Mimosa pudica ) ia a good one to grow as well.

Modifies a noun

tree: The caterpillar of the flannel moth which haunts mimosa trees in the southern United States can cause contact dermatitis ( Grater 1975 ).
pudica: Mimosa pudica Sensitive Plant This thorny plant is injurious to the gut of animals which eat it ( Burkill 1935 ).
bush: Here and there a few clumps of mimosa bushes rose like islets, and lent additional interest to the scene.
blossom: Can you imagine yourself in a place where spring begins in January when garlands of almond and then mimosa blossom decorate the landscape?
flower: Here, the villagers celebrate the annual flowering of the mimosa flower with a beauty pageant.

Browse dictionary entries near mimosa