mistletoe
[ mis-uhl-toh ]
/ ˈmɪs əlˌtoʊ /
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noun
a European plant, Viscum album, having yellowish flowers and white berries, growing parasitically on various trees, used in Christmas decorations.
any of several other related, similar plants, as Phoradendron serotinum, of the U.S.: the state flower of Oklahoma.
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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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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
Words nearby mistletoe
mistigris, mistime, misting, Mistinguett, mistle thrush, mistletoe, mistletoe bird, mistletoe cactus, mistook, mistral, mistranslate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for mistletoe
mistletoe
/ (ˈmɪsəlˌtəʊ) /
noun
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
any of several similar and related American plants in the families Loranthaceae or Viscaceae, esp Phoradendron flavescens
mistletoe cactus an epiphytic cactus, Rhipsalis cassytha, that grows in tropical America
Word Origin for mistletoe
Old English misteltān, from mistel mistletoe + tān twig; related to Old Norse mistilteinn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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