legume

Noun
US/ˈlɛˌɡjum/2 syllables
Synonyms: leguminous plant

Open English WordNet

Noun (3)

  1. an erect or climbing bean or pea plant of the family LeguminosaeSynonyms: leguminous plantType of herb, climberKinds horse gram, vetch, moth bean, asparagus bean, sesbania, snailflower, peanut, cowpea, locoweed, lentil +8 moreMember of Leguminosae, family Leguminosae
  2. the fruit or seed of any of various bean or pea plants consisting of a case that splits along both sides when ripe and having the seeds attach to one side of the caseType of pod, seedpodKinds cowpea, chickpea, pea, field pea, lentilPart of leguminous plant
  3. the seedpod of a leguminous plant (such as peas or beans or lentils)Type of vegetable, veggieKinds pea, bean, lentil, chickpea, black-eyed pea, pulseMade of protein

Related words leguminous adjective

Word of the day · Sep 28About this word
onerousadjective

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Leg′ume (lĕg′ūm or lē-gūm′), noun

Origin: F. légume, L. legumen, fr. legere to gather. So called because they may be gathered without cutting. See Legend.

1. Botany A pod dehiscent into two pieces or valves, and having the seed attached at one suture, as that of the pea.

☞ In the latter circumstance, it differs from a siliqua, in which the seeds are attached to both sutures. In popular use, a legume is called a pod, or cod; as, pea pod, or peas cod.

2. pl. The fruit of leguminous plants, as peas, beans, lupines; pulse.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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