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pea

pea definition

pea (pē)

noun pl. peas

an annual, tendril-climbing plant (Pisum sativum) of the pea family, with white or pinkish flowers and green seedpods
its small, round, smooth or wrinkled seed, used as a vegetable
1. any of various similar plants, as the cowpea
2. the seed of any of these

Etymology: back-form. < ME pese, pees, a pea, taken as pl. < OE pise < LL pisa < L, pl. of pisum, a pea < Gr pison, a pea

adjective

designating a family (Fabaceae, order Fabales), of leguminous, dicotyledonous plants, including peanuts, clover, vetch, alfalfa and many beans

pea Idioms

as like as two peas (in a pod)

exactly alike

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.