mimosa

[ mi-moh-suh, -zuh ]

noun
  1. any of numerous plants, shrubs, or trees belonging to the genus Mimosa, of the legume family, native to tropical or warm regions, having small flowers in globular heads or cylindrical spikes and often sensitive leaves.

  2. any of various similar or related plants, especially of the genus Acacia, as the silver wattle, or Albizzia, as the silk tree.

  1. a cocktail of orange juice and champagne, usually in equal parts.

Origin of mimosa

1
1695–1705; <New Latin, equivalent to Latin mīm(us) mime + -ōsa, feminine of -ōsus-ose1

Words Nearby mimosa

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use mimosa in a sentence

  • The perfume of mimosa and roses and oleander came to him in long waves, subtle and yet invigorating.

    Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo | E. Phillips Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for mimosa

mimosa

/ (mɪˈməʊsə, -zə) /


noun
  1. any tropical shrub or tree of the leguminous genus Mimosa, having ball-like clusters of yellow or pink flowers and compound leaves that are often sensitive to touch or light: See also sensitive plant

  2. any similar or related tree

Origin of mimosa

1
C18: from New Latin, probably from Latin mīmus mime, because the plant's sensitivity to touch imitates the similar reaction of animals

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012