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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

French bean

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 Charles B. Michener

The seed leaves of the French bean are white when they come out of the earth, but they become green an hour afterward under the influence of bright sunshine.

From Scientific American, Volume XLIII., No. 25, December 18, 1880 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various

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 Giles Lytton Strachey

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 Sir W. S. (William Schwenck) Gilbert

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 Edward Fordham Spence

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