mistletoe

American  

[mis-uhl-toh] / ˈmɪs əlˌtoʊ /

noun

1. a European plant, Viscum album, having yellowish flowers and white berries, growing parasitically on various trees, used in Christmas decorations.

2. any of several other related, similar plants, as Phoradendron serotinum, of the U.S.: the state flower of Oklahoma.

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mistletoe British  

/ ˈmɪsəlˌtəʊ /

noun

1. a Eurasian evergreen shrub, Viscum album, with leathery leaves, yellowish flowers, and waxy white berries: grows as a partial parasite on various trees: used as a Christmas decoration: family Viscaceae

2. any of several similar and related American plants in the families Loranthaceae or Viscaceae , esp Phoradendron flavescens

3. an epiphytic cactus, Rhipsalis cassytha, that grows in tropical America

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Etymology

Origin of mistletoe

before 1000; Middle English mistelto, apparently back formation from Old English misteltān ( mistel mistletoe, basil + tān twig), the -n being taken as plural ending; cognate with Old Norse mistilteinn

Example Sentences

A decorated tree and sleigh greeted guests at the entrance to the country house which had holly, ivy, mistletoe and lanterns hung throughout.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

So let’s just say, with 500 million views on YouTube, I know I wasn’t going to be actually kissing Bieber under the mistletoe like he was singing about.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2024

The goal was identifying the moments that viewers expect from Hallmark’s pleasingly formulaic programming — the apology, the kiss under the mistletoe — and finding a way to “gamify” them, Bennett says.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2024

Yet the story behind “All I Want for Christmas is You” is not all holly and mistletoe.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2023

She sawed at the rope frantically with the mistletoe dagger, but it made slow progress.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack