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

Haricot, har′i-ko, -kot, n. a kind of ragout or stew of mutton and beans or other vegetables: the kidney-bean or French bean.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Gilbert, again, in Patience has a reference to "a not-too-French French bean" that suggests a ribald estimate of this family of plants.

From The Pleasures of Ignorance by Lynd, Robert

It has even been seen to venture to a considerable distance from water, crossing a large field, making its way into a garden, and carrying off several pods of the French bean.

From The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 355, October 16, 1886 by Peters, Charles

The right kidney, weighing 23-1/2 ounces, is shaped like a French bean, and extends from the loins forward to beneath the heads of the last two ribs.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.

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

From The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan by Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), Sir