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Mistletoe

//ˈmɪs(ə)ltəʊ// noun

Definitions

Noun

1
Any of numerous hemiparasitic evergreen plants of the order Santalales with white berries that grow in the crowns of apple trees, oaks, and other trees, such as the European mistletoe (Viscum album) and American mistletoe or eastern mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum). countable, uncountable
"(all obsolete or archaic)"
2
shrub of central and southeastern Europe; partially parasitic on beeches, chestnuts and oaks wordnet
3
A sprig of one such plant used as a Christmas decoration, associated with the custom that a man may kiss any woman standing beneath it. uncountable
"Miſtletoe! why I know what that is, as we garniſh our Houſe with it every Year, at Chriſtmas."
4
Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries; the traditional mistletoe of Christmas wordnet
5
American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe wordnet

Etymology

From Middle English mistelto, mistilto (“European mistletoe”), from Old English misteltān (“mistletoe”), from mistel (“mistletoe; basil; birdlime”) + tān (“sprig, shoot, twig”), possibly as a calque of Old Norse mistilteinn; equivalent to mistle + tan (“twig”). This was mistaken for the plural of tā (“toe”). Cognate with Danish mistelten (“mistletoe”), Norwegian misteltein (“mistletoe”), Icelandic mistilteinn (“mistletoe”). Compare also the simplex form West Frisian mistel (“mistletoe”), Dutch mistel (“mistletoe”), German Mistel (“mistletoe”), Swedish mistel (“mistletoe”).

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