mistletoe

noun

mis·​tle·​toe ˈmi-səl-ˌtō How to pronounce mistletoe (audio)
 chiefly British  ˈmi-zəl-
: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album of the family Santalaceae, the sandalwood family) with thick leaves, small yellowish flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries
broadly : any of various plants of the sandalwood family (as of an American genus Phoradendron) resembling the true mistletoe

Illustration of mistletoe

Illustration of mistletoe

Examples of mistletoe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tis the season for romance under the mistletoe and the game is starting strong thanks to The Queen of the Christmas Romance, Lacey Chabert. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2024 The pack contains four 12-ounce candles with season-perfect scents: cinnamon pumpkin chai, sapphire cashmere, heirloom apple grove, and mistletoe frost. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2024 In an atmosphere of holly, mistletoe, brandy-snapping, and turkey, many differences can be forgotten, many old feuds wiped out. —Nancy Mitford, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2023 Instead, experts consider mistletoe as hemiparasitic. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 23 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for mistletoe 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mistilto, from Old English misteltān, from mistel mistletoe + tān twig; akin to Old High German & Old Saxon mistil mistletoe and to Old High German zein twig

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistletoe was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near mistletoe

mistle thrush

mistletoe

mistletoe bird

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Mistletoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistletoe. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

mistletoe

noun
mis·​tle·​toe ˈmis-əl-ˌtō How to pronounce mistletoe (audio)
: a European plant with yellowish flowers and waxy white berries that grows on the branches and trunks of trees
also : any of various related plants that resemble the mistletoe

Medical Definition

mistletoe

noun
mis·​tle·​toe
ˈmis-əl-ˌtō, chiefly British ˈmiz-
: any of various parasitic or semiparasitic plants (family Loranthaceae, the mistletoe family) that have thick leathery mostly opposite and sometimes scaly leaves and include some formerly used in preparations with oxytocic, antispasmodic, or heart-stimulating properties: as
a
: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album) having somewhat poisonous leaves, stems, and waxy-white glutinous berries that have been used in folk medicine
b
: any of various American plants (genus Phoradendron and especially P. serotinum synonym P. flavescens) resembling the true mistletoe of Europe

More from Merriam-Webster on mistletoe

Nglish: Translation of mistletoe for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of mistletoe for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mistletoe

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