mimosa

[ mi-moh-suh, -zuh ]
/ mɪˈmoʊ sə, -zə /

noun

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.
any of various similar or related plants, especially of the genus Acacia, as the silver wattle, or Albizzia, as the silk tree.
a cocktail of orange juice and champagne, usually in equal parts.

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Origin of mimosa

1695–1705; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin mīm(us) mime + -ōsa, feminine of -ōsus -ose1

Words nearby mimosa

mimicry, mimine, miminy-piminy, mimir, mimo, mimosa, mimosaceous, mimosis, mims, mimsy, mimulus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for mimosa

British Dictionary definitions for mimosa

mimosa
/ (mɪˈməʊsə, -zə) /

noun

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 lightSee also sensitive plant
any similar or related tree

Word Origin for mimosa

C18: from New Latin, probably from Latin mīmus mime, because the plant's sensitivity to touch imitates the similar reaction of animals
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012