Definition

Noun: 1. A twining tropical Old World plant: A climbing vine native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa, scientifically classified as Canavalia gladiata. 2. Its edible long pod: The very long, flat, sword-shaped seed pod produced by this plant. 3. Its seeds: The beans (seeds) inside the pod, which are typically red or brown and are cultivated for food, especially in Asian cuisines.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the plant:
  • The sword bean is a vigorous climber often grown on trellises.
  • Farmers planted sword beans to enrich the soil with nitrogen.
• Referring to the pod or bean:
  • The recipe calls for young sword beans, sliced thinly.
  • The dried sword beans must be soaked and cooked thoroughly before eating.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical texts, "sword bean" specifically refers to , distinguishing it from the closely related jack bean (). The name describes the pod's distinctive shape.
• Agricultural Context: The term is used in discussions of tropical agriculture, cover cropping, and sustainable farming, as the plant fixes nitrogen in the soil.

Variants and Related Words

• Scimitar bean: A less common synonym for sword bean, also referencing the curved, sword-like shape of the pod.
• Canavalia gladiata: The scientific (Latin) name for the sword bean plant.

Synonyms

• Legume: A broader category of plants that includes sword beans, peas, and lentils.
• Pulse: Refers to the edible dried seed of leguminous plants, which includes dried sword beans.

Notes on Meaning

The term "sword bean" consistently refers to the specific plant species and its produce. Its primary meanings are botanical (the plant) and culinary (the pod/bean). It is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.

Noun

1. twining tropical Old World plant bearing long pods usually with red or brown beans; long cultivated in Orient for food