: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album of the family Loranthaceae, the mistletoe family) with thick leaves, small yellowish flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries
broadly: any of various plants of the mistletoe family (as of an American genus Phoradendron) resembling the true mistletoe
Illustration of mistletoe
Examples of mistletoe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebIn an atmosphere of holly, mistletoe, brandy-snapping, and turkey, many differences can be forgotten, many old feuds wiped out.—Nancy Mitford, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2023 Instead, experts consider mistletoe as hemiparasitic.—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 23 Dec. 2023 Every nook and cranny of our favorite northern California town is swagged out with lights, bows, bunting, mistletoe, and, of course, good cheer.—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 30 Nov. 2023 Participants will forage mistletoe to transform into a decoration, learn about the native California holly and craft ornaments from pine cones.—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for mistletoe
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mistletoe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English mistilto, from Old English misteltān, from mistel mistletoe + tān twig; akin to Old High German & Old Saxon mistil mistletoe and to Old High German zein twig
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of mistletoe was
before the 12th century
: a European plant with yellowish flowers and waxy white berries that grows on the branches and trunks of trees
also: any of various related plants that resemble the mistletoe
Medical Definition
mistletoe
noun
mis·tle·toe
ˈmis-əl-ˌtō, chiefly British ˈmiz-
: any of various parasitic or semiparasitic plants (family Loranthaceae, the mistletoe family) that have thick leathery mostly opposite and sometimes scaly leaves and include some formerly used in preparations with oxytocic, antispasmodic, or heart-stimulating properties: as
a
: a European semiparasitic green shrub (Viscum album) having somewhat poisonous leaves, stems, and waxy-white glutinous berries that have been used in folk medicine
b
: any of various American plants (genus Phoradendron and especially P. serotinum synonym P. flavescens) resembling the true mistletoe of Europe
Share