Define the word Viscum album"Viscum album" gcide "The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"
Mistletoe \Mis"tle*toe\, n. [AS. mistelt[=a]n; mistel mistletoe
+ t[=a]n twig. AS. mistel is akin of D., G., Dan. & Sw.
mistel, OHG. mistil, Icel. mistilteinn; and AS. t[=a]n to D.
teen, OHG. zein, Icel. teinn, Goth. tains. Cf. Missel.]
(Bot.)
A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album),
bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it
is rare, it was an object of superstitious regard among the
Druids. A bird lime is prepared from its fruit. [Written also
misletoe, misseltoe, and mistleto.] --Lindley.
--Loudon.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The mistletoe of the United States is Phoradendron serotinum (syn. Phoradendron flavescens), having
broader leaves than the European kind. In different
regions various similar plants are called by this name.
The mistletoe is used as a decoration at Christmas
time, and it is a tradition that two persons of the
oposite sex finding each other under a mistletoe sprig
should kiss.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
"Viscum album" gcide "The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"
Viscin \Vis"cin\, n. (Chem.)
A clear, viscous, tasteless substance extracted from the
mucilaginous sap of the mistletoe (Viscum album), holly,
etc., and constituting an essential ingredient of birdlime.
[1913 Webster]
"Viscum album" wn "WordNet (r) 2.0"
Viscum album
n : Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems
with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries;
the traditional mistletoe of Christmas [syn: mistletoe,
Old World mistletoe]
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