Definition

Noun: 1. A twining herb cultivated for food and fodder: Refers specifically to a leguminous vine (Lablab purpureus or Dolichos lablab) native to the Old World tropics, widely grown in regions like India for its edible seeds, pods, and forage.

Usage Notes

• This is a common name for the plant species . It is not a standard or widely used compound in everyday conversation but is a recognized term in agricultural, botanical, or regional contexts.
• The term "poor man's" often indicates something that is a more affordable or accessible substitute for something else. Here, it may imply the plant's role as a vital and economical source of protein (pulse) for nutrition.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Farmers in the region often grow poor man's pulse as a reliable source of food during the dry season.
  • The study focused on the nutritional value of poor man's pulse compared to other legumes.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe any humble but essential source of sustenance.
  • In those difficult years, the simple bean was our poor man's pulse.

Variants and Related Words

• Lablab (n): The primary botanical name for the plant.
• Hyacinth bean (n): Another common name for the same species.
• Bonavist bean (n): A regional name for this plant.
• Pulse (n): The edible seeds of leguminous plants, such as lentils, peas, and beans.

Synonyms

• Lablab bean
• Hyacinth bean
• Indian bean
• Field bean (in specific contexts)

Related Phrases

• Poor man's [something]: A phrase template denoting a cheaper or more common alternative to a well-known item (e.g., , ).

Noun

1. twining herb of Old World tropics cultivated in India for food and fodder; sometimes placed in genus Dolichos