ˈmisəlˌtō, chiefly Brit also ˈmizə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mistilto (attested only in the meaning “basil”), from Old English misteltān, from mistel mistletoe, basil + tān twig; Old English mistel akin to Old High German & Old Saxon mistil mistletoe, Old Norse mistil teinn mistletoe and perhaps to Old High German mist dung; Old English tān akin to Old High German zein twig, Old Norse teinn, Gothic tains; from the seeds being planted in the droppings of birds that have eaten the berries — more at mixen
1. : a Eurasian hemiparasitic shrub ( Viscum album ) that has dichotomously branching greenish stems, thick persistent leathery leaves, small yellowish flowers, and waxy-white glutinous berries and that grows pendent from various usually deciduous trees (as the apple)
2. : any of numerous plants of the family Loranthaceae that are felt to resemble the typical Old World mistletoe: as
a. : any of various American plants of the genus Phoradendron that grow on deciduous trees
b. : any of various Old World plants of the genus Viscum
c. Australia
(1) : flame tree a(2)
(2) : a plant of the genus Loranthus
(3) : a plant ( Notothixos incana ) that is parasitic on other mistletoes
d. : american mistletoe 1
3. Australia : dodder laurel