Main Entry:

pea

Pronunciation:

\ˈpē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural peas also pease \ˈpēz\

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

back-formation from Middle English pease (taken as a plural), from Old English pise, from Latin pisa, plural of pisum, from Greek pison

Date:

1611

1 a: a variable annual Eurasian vine (Pisum sativum) of the legume family that is cultivated especially for its rounded smooth or wrinkled edible protein-rich seeds b: the seed of the pea cplural : the immature pods of the pea with their included seeds2: any of various leguminous plants related to or resembling the pea —usually used in combination or with a qualifying term <chickpea><black-eyed pea> ; also : the seed of such a plant3: something resembling a pea (as in size or shape)

[pea illustration]