mimosa

views updated May 09 2018

mi·mo·sa / məˈmōsə; mī-; -zə/ • n. 1. an Australian acacia tree (Acacia dealbata) with delicate fernlike leaves and yellow flowers that are used by florists. 2. a pea-family plant of a genus (Mimosa) that includes the sensitive plant. 3. a drink of champagne and orange juice.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Mimosa

views updated Jun 08 2018

Mimosa (family Leguminosae, subfamily Mimosoideae) A genus mainly of herbs and shrubs, in which the stipules are sometimes thorn-like. The leaves are multipinnate. M. pudica (the sensitive plant) has leaflets that droop on shaking. M. invisa is a noxious weed. There are about 400 species, occurring in the tropics, mainly in America.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

mimosa

views updated Jun 11 2018

mimosa sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica, and its allies. XVIII. — modL. mīmōsa, app. f. L. mīmus MIME + -ōsa, fem. of -ōsus -OSE1, and so named from its imitation of animal sensitiveness.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

mimosa

views updated May 18 2018

mimosa Genus of plants, shrubs and small trees native to tropical North and South America. They have showy, feather-like leaves and heads or spikes of white, pink or yellow flowers. Family Mimosaceae.

World Encyclopedia