pea

(pē)

noun pl. peas

an annual, tendril-climbing plant (Pisum sativum) of the pea family, with white or pinkish flowers and green seedpods
its small, round, smooth or wrinkled seed, used as a vegetable
1. any of various similar plants, as the cowpea
2. the seed of any of these

Origin: back-form. < ME pese, pees, a pea, taken as pl. < OE pise < LL pisa < L, pl. of pisum, a pea < Gr pison, a pea

adjective

designating a family (Fabaceae, order Fabales), of leguminous, dicotyledonous plants, including peanuts, clover, vetch, alfalfa and many beans

See pea in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A member of the pea family.
A Eurasian climbing annual vine (Pisum sativum) cultivated in all temperate zones, having compound leaves with terminal leaflets modified into tendrils and globose, edible seeds enclosed in a green, elongated pod.
The seed of this plant, used as a vegetable.
also peas The unopened pods of this plant.
Any of several plants of the genus Lathyrus, such as the sweet pea or the beach pea.

Origin:

Origin: Back-formation from Middle English pease (mistaken for pl.)

Origin: , from Old English pise, piose

Origin: , from Late Latin pīsa

Origin: , variant of Latin pīsum

Origin: , from Greek pisos, pison

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