rosary pea

noun

1
: a tropical twining herb (Abrus precatorius) of the legume family that bears jequirity beans and has a root used as a substitute for licorice

called also Indian licorice, jequirity bean

2
: jequirity bean sense 1

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rosary pea was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near rosary pea

rosary

rosary pea

rosary vine

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Cite this Entry

“Rosary pea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rosary%20pea. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

rosary pea

noun
1
: a tropical leguminous twining herb of the genus Abrus (A. precatorius) that bears jequirity beans and has a root used as a substitute for licorice

called also jequirity bean

2
: jequirity bean sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on rosary pea

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rosary pea

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