mimosa

[mi-moh-suh, -zuh]

noun

1. any of numerous plants, shrubs, or trees belonging to the genus Mimosa, of the legume family, native to tropical or warm regions, having small flowers in globular heads or cylindrical spikes and often sensitive leaves.

2. any of various similar or related plants, especially of the genus Acacia, as the silver wattle, or Albizzia, as the silk tree.

3. a cocktail of orange juice and champagne, usually in equal parts.

mimosa

/ mɪˈməʊsə, -zə /

noun

1. any tropical shrub or tree of the leguminous genus Mimosa, having ball-like clusters of yellow or pink flowers and compound leaves that are often sensitive to touch or light See also sensitive plant

2. any similar or related tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of mimosa¹

1695–1705; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin mīm ( us ) mime + -ōsa, feminine of -ōsus -ose ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mimosa¹

C18: from New Latin, probably from Latin mīmus _mime , because the plant's sensitivity to touch imitates the similar reaction of animals

Example Sentences

I was 21, barely old enough to buy the champagne for mimosas, but somehow old enough to think I could pull off homemade biscuits, jam, cinnamon rolls and quiche for twelve.

Read more on Salon

Aubrey Plaza appears as a new wife from California and soon she’s being caressed by all the other women in the cast as they make mimosas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Vaughn says he could be “sipping mimosas on my porch,” rather than editing film and writing scripts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The best brunches in L.A. include seafood towers at a Virgil Village clam shack, live jazz and bottomless mimosas in Sherman Oaks and tableside cinnamon rolls and Bloody Marys in Brentwood, plus much more.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The stand overhangs the River Thames and this is where the pre-match hospitality takes place with champagne or mimosas served on arrival.

Read more on BBC