mistletoe
mistletoe Lexical Profile
mistletoe Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various hemiparasitic evergreen shrubs of the order Santalales (especially Viscum album in Europe and Phoradendron leucarpum in North America) that grow attached to the branches of host trees, having leathery leaves, small yellowish-green flowers, and sticky translucent white berries, traditionally hung as a Christmas decoration under which people kiss.
"They hung a sprig of mistletoe in the doorway for the holiday party."
The state floral emblem of Oklahoma (specifically the American species Phoradendron leucarpum), bearing clusters of tiny, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers that bloom in late autumn and winter before developing into waxy white berries.
"Before Oklahoma achieved statehood, mistletoe was adopted as its official floral emblem because it was one of the few plants blooming during winter."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English misteltan, a compound of mistel ('mistletoe', originally meaning 'dung' from Proto-Germanic *mihstaz, referring to how its seeds are propagated through bird droppings) and tan ('twig').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.