moonseed

[ moon-seed ]

/ ˈmunˌsid /

noun

any climbing plant of the genus Menispermum, having greenish-white flowers and crescent-shaped seeds.

Carolina moonseed.

Nearby words

moonraker, moonrise, moonrock, moonroof, moonscape, moonseed, moonset, moonshee, moonshine, moonshiner, moonshot

Origin of moonseed

First recorded in 1730–40; moon + seed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for moonseed

Stamen of Moonseed, with anther cut across; this 4-celled, or rather 4-locellate.
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray
When she finished she picked up a trailing vine of moonseed.
The Harvester|Gene Stratton Porter
She learned the uses and prices of the plant, and also made drawings of cohosh, moonseed and bloodroot.
The Harvester|Gene Stratton Porter
Fig. 231, staminate, and 232, pistillate flower of Moonseed.
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray

British Dictionary definitions for moonseed

moonseed

/ (ˈmuːnˌsiːd) /

noun

any menispermaceous climbing plant of the genus Menispermum and related genera, having red or black fruits with crescent-shaped or ring-shaped seeds

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