Mistletoe Definition
mĭsəl-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.
Webster's New World
A sprig of such a plant, hung as a Christmas decoration: by custom, people kiss when standing under it.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- Viscum album
- Old World mistletoe
- false mistletoe
- Loranthus europaeus
adjective
Designating a family (Loranthaceae, order Santalales) of parasitic, dicotyledonous shrubs and small trees.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Mistletoe
Noun
Singular:
mistletoePlural:
mistletoesOrigin of Mistletoe
-
Middle English mistelto back-formation from Old English misteltān (tān) (taken for pl. of tā toe) mistel mistletoe meigh- in Indo-European roots tān twig
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
Old English misteltān, from mistel "˜mistletoe' + tān "˜twig'. Compare mistle.
From Wiktionary
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