mistletoe
mistletoe Lexical Profile
mistletoe Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A sprig or branch of the mistletoe plant used as a traditional Christmas holiday decoration, under which it is a popular custom for people to kiss.
"They hung a fresh sprig of mistletoe above the main doorway just before the holiday guests arrived."
A parasitic or hemiparasitic evergreen plant of the order Santalales, native to temperate and tropical regions worldwide, characterized by leathery leaves and white or translucent toxic berries, which grows upon the branches of various host trees such as oaks and apples.
"The ecologist pointed out large clumps of mistletoe drawing nutrients from the branches of the aging oak tree."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'misteltān', a compound of 'mistel' (mistletoe) and 'tān' (twig). The 'mistel' element is believed to be derived from a Germanic base meaning 'dung', referring to how the plant's seeds are propagated through bird droppings.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.