mistletoe

[ mis-uhl-toh ]

noun

1. a European plant, Viscum album, having yellowish flowers and white berries, growing parasitically on various trees, used in Christmas decorations.
2. any of several other related, similar plants, as Phoradendron serotinum, of the U.S.: the state flower of Oklahoma.

mistletoe

/ ˈmɪsəlˌtəʊ /

noun

1. a Eurasian evergreen shrub, Viscum album, with leathery leaves, yellowish flowers, and waxy white berries: grows as a partial parasite on various trees: used as a Christmas decoration: family Viscaceae
2. any of several similar and related American plants in the families Loranthaceae or Viscaceae , esp Phoradendron flavescens
3. mistletoe cactus
   an epiphytic cactus, Rhipsalis cassytha, that grows in tropical America

Word History and Origins

Origin of mistletoe¹

before 1000; Middle English mistelto, apparently back formation from Old English misteltān ( mistel mistletoe, basil + tān twig), the -n being taken as plural ending; cognate with Old Norse mistilteinn

Word History and Origins

Origin of mistletoe¹

Old English misteltān, from mistel mistletoe + tān twig; related to Old Norse mistilteinn

Example Sentences

Christmas trees bought and decorated, fireplace mantels being decorated and holly and mistletoe hung.

From Washington Blade

In fact, “mistletoe might teach us a lesson on how to survive at energy-limiting conditions,” Senkler said.

From Quanta Magazine

“We started joking about researchers falling off trees in the attempt to get their hands on mistletoe plants,” Senkler wrote in an email to Quanta.

From Quanta Magazine

Holiday-season traditions stretching back for centuries have linked wintertime romance to decorative sprigs of mistletoe.

From Quanta Magazine

Eventually, the mistletoe bush grows, blooms, and forms berries, and the cycle begins anew.

From The Daily Beast

In a dramatic twist on mistletoe reproduction, their seeds explode, literally.

From The Daily Beast

“Mistletoe infections can be a symptom of larger problems,” notes Shaw.

From The Daily Beast

Mistletoe is basically a vampire—but one of those an anti-hero type vampires.

From The Daily Beast

Mistletoes infections can kill individual trees and stands of trees, and most mistletoe species attack specific tree species.

From The Daily Beast

Fieldfares and Mistletoe Thrushes usually sell at fourpence each, the rest at fourpence a couple.

From Project Gutenberg

And he said, in a very low voice, 'I didn't dare to kiss you under the mistletoe.'

From Project Gutenberg

The Mistletoe was a sore puzzle to our ancestors, almost as great a mystery as the Fern.

From Project Gutenberg

The mystery attaching to the Mistletoe arose from the ignorance as to its production.

From Project Gutenberg

In my dreams last night were all sorts of Christmas things—home and mistletoe and you under it, my love.

From Project Gutenberg