Definition

1. Noun:
   • A parasitic plant: "mistletoe" refers to a type of evergreen shrub that grows as a parasite on the branches of trees, such as oaks and apple trees. It has leathery leaves and produces white, waxy berries.
   • A Christmas tradition: "mistletoe" is also the name for the plant traditionally used as a Christmas decoration. A custom involves kissing someone who is standing under a sprig of mistletoe.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The mistletoe was growing high in the old oak tree.
  • They hung the mistletoe in the doorway for the holiday party.

Advanced Usage

• "to be kissed under the mistletoe": to participate in the Christmas tradition of kissing beneath a hanging mistletoe plant.
  • According to tradition, if you meet someone under the mistletoe, you should kiss them.

Variants and Related Words

• Dwarf mistletoe (n): A smaller species of mistletoe, often considered a pest in forestry.
  • The forest was infected with dwarf mistletoe.

Synonyms

• Parasitic plant: A general term for plants that live on and derive nutrients from a host plant.

Different Meanings

• Botanical meaning: Specifically refers to plants in the families Viscaceae or Loranthaceae, which are hemiparasitic (partially parasitic) on trees.
• Cultural meaning: Refers specifically to the European mistletoe () used in Christmas traditions and folklore.

Noun

1. shrub of central and southeastern Europe; partially parasitic on beeches, chestnuts and oaks
2. Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries; the traditional mistletoe of Christmas
3. American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe