French bean

American  

noun

1. British. the pod of a green bean or wax bean, eaten as a vegetable.

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French bean British  

noun

1. a small twining bushy or annual bean plant, Phaseolus vulgaris , with white or lilac flowers and slender green edible pods

2. the pod of this plant See also haricot

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Etymology

Origin of French bean

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

French bean

The humour of Mr Gilbert's line "The not too French French bean" appeals irresistibly to the English.

From Our Stage and Its Critics By "E.F.S." of "The Westminster Gazette" by Spence, Edward Fordham

After all, when Bunthorne asked for a not-too-French French bean he showed more commonsense than he intended.

From Books and Characters French and English by Strachey, Giles Lytton

It is found particularly so to those of the forced French bean, melon; peach, vine, cherry, currant, and some other kinds.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849

A half-dwarf, French bean, similar in habit to the Dwarf Sabre.

From The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Containing Full Descriptions of Nearly Eleven Hundred Species and Varietes; With Directions for Propagation, Culture and Use. by Burr, Fearing

Then a sentimental passion of a vegetable fashion must excite your languid spleen, An attachment E LA Plato for a bashful young potato, or a not-too- French French bean.

From Songs of a Savoyard by Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), Sir