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Glite Dictionary
Old World mistletoe

Old World mistletoe

8.5
A European plant that grows on other trees with green branches, thick leaves, and white berries used at Christmas
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : muérdago europeo
  • The Old World mistletoe is known for its distinctive green leaves and waxy white berries, which are often used in Christmas decorations.

Examples

  • The berries of Old World mistletoe are toxic if ingested.

  • People often hang Old World mistletoe in their homes as part of Christmas celebrations.

  • In some cultures, Old World mistletoe symbolizes peace and goodwill.

  • Look at the Old World mistletoe!

  • We hung some Old World mistletoe in the doorway.

  • During the holidays, many couples kiss under the Old World mistletoe as a sign of affection.

  • In European tradition, hanging Old World mistletoe is believed to bring good luck and protect the home.

Synonyms

mistletoe
vsOld World mistletoe
40 4.1

A small green plant with white berries that people hang in doorways at Christmas

is the specific European parasitic shrub with green stems and leathery leaves
mistle
vsOld World mistletoe
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An old word for a small green plant with white berries used at Christmas

is the modern common name rather than the archaic word
Viscum album
vsOld World mistletoe
  • UK
8.9

A small plant that grows on other trees, known as the Christmas mistletoe

is the traditional seasonal plant used in holiday customs rather than the Latin name

Surface Forms

Old World mistletoe singular
Old World mistletoes plural

Morphology

old + world + mistletoe

This is a straightforward modifier+noun composition: 'Old World' specifies geographic origin and 'mistletoe' names the plant, so a learner who knows 'old', 'world' and 'mistletoe' can infer it denotes mistletoe from the Old World (i.e. Europe/Asia/Africa). There is no idiomatic or metaphorical shift—meaning follows normal English compounding and origin-marking patterns.

Etymology

Old World mistletoe is a small green plant that grows on tree branches and stays green in winter, so people in Europe hung it in their homes at Christmas as a sign of life and 'goodwill'. One popular story says people would stand under the hanging mistletoe to show friendship or to kiss, which is why the plant is still linked with 'kissing' and holiday decoration today.