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mistletoe

mistletoe definition

mistle·toe (mis′əl tō′)

noun

any of various evergreen plants (genera Phoradendron and Viscum) of the mistletoe family, parasitic on deciduous or evergreen trees, with small, yellowish-green leaves, yellowish flowers, and shiny, white, poisonous berries
a sprig of such a plant, hung as a Christmas decoration: men by custom kiss women standing under it

Etymology: OE misteltan (akin to ON mistilteinn) < mistel, mistletoe (prob. < Gmc *mista, dung: from being propagated by seeds in bird dung) + tan, a twig

adjective

designating a family (Loranthaceae, order Santalales) of parasitic, dicotyledonous shrubs and small trees

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.