[pea] n, pl peas also pease often attrib [back-formation fr. ME pease (taken as a pl.), fr. OE pise, fr. L pisa, pl. of pisum, fr. Gk pison] (1611) 1 a: a variable annual leguminous Eurasian vine (Pisum sativum) that is cultivated esp. for its rounded smooth or wrinkled edible protein-rich seeds b: the seed of the pea c pl: the immature pods of the pea with their included seeds
2: any of various leguminous plants related to or resembling the pea--usu. used in combination or with a qualifying term "chickpea" "black-eyed ~"; also: the seed of such a plant
3: something resembling a pea (as in size or shape)