ˈleˌgyüm, lə̇ˈg-, leˈ-, in sense 1b lāgu̅e̅m noun
( plural legumes -ümz, -u̅e̅m)
Etymology: French légume, from Middle French, from Latin legumen, from legere to gather — more at legend
1.
a. : the fruit or seed of a leguminous plant (as peas or beans) used for food
b. : a vegetable used for food — used chiefly in menus
2. : a leguminous plant ; especially : one grown as a forage or green-manure crop (as clover, alfalfa)
3. : a dry dehiscent one-celled fruit developed from a simple superior ovary and usually dehiscing into two valves with the seeds attached to the ventral suture : pod — compare fruit 1d, loment ; see fruit illustration