mistletoe

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: mis=tle=toe

CIDE DICTIONARY

mistletoe, n. [AS. misteltān; mistel mistletoe + tān twig. AS. mistel is akin of D., G., Dan. & Sw. mistel, OHG. mistil, Icel. mistilteinn; and AS. tān to D. teen, OHG. zein, Icel. teinn, Goth. tains. Cf. Missel.].

 A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album), bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it is rare, it was an object of superstitious regard among the Druids. A bird lime is prepared from its fruit.  Lindley. Loudon.  [1913 Webster]
" The mistletoe of the United States is Phoradendron serotinum (syn. Phoradendron flavescens), having broader leaves than the European kind. In different regions various similar plants are called by this name. The mistletoe is used as a decoration at Christmas time, and it is a tradition that two persons of the oposite sex finding each other under a mistletoe sprig should kiss."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

mistletoe, n.
1 a parasitic plant, Viscum album, growing on apple and other trees and bearing white glutinous berries in winter.
2 a similar plant, Phoradendron flavescens, native to N. America.

Etymology

OE misteltan (as MISTLE (THRUSH), tan twig)