mistletoe: [OE] Mistletoe is a mystery word. It means literally ‘mistletoe twig’, and comes from an Old English compound misteltān formed from mistel ‘mistletoe’ and tān ‘twig’. The origins of mistel, however (which has relatives in German mistil and Dutch and Swedish mistel), are unknown. The mistle thrush [18], or missel thrush, got its name from its predilection for mistletoe berries.
mistletoe (n.)
Old English mistiltan, from mistel "mistletoe" (see missel) + tan "twig." Similar formation in Old Norse mistilteinn, Norwegian misteltein, Danish mistelten. The second element is cognate with Old Saxon and Old Frisian ten, Old Norse teinn, Dutch teen, Old High German zein, Gothic tains "twig." Venerated by the Druids; the custom of hanging it at Christmas and kissing under it is mentioned by Washington Irving.
雙語例句
1. the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe
在槲寄生枝下親吻的習俗
來自《權威詞典》
2. The mistletoe plant is a parasite on trees.
槲寄生是寄生于樹上的植物.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
3. Holly, like ivy and mistletoe, is an evergreen.
冬青和常春藤、槲寄生一樣，都是常綠植物。
來自辭典例句
4. Prepare to stand down sectors Redwood, Douglas, Cedar and Mistletoe.
各部門準備離開.紅木 、 道格拉斯 、 雪松、和槲寄生.
來自電影對白
5. Missed toll Mistletoe is apperent site a parasite plant.