leguminous

[ li-gyoo-muh-nuh s ]
/ lɪˈgyu mə nəs /

adjective

pertaining to, of the nature of, or bearing legumes.
belonging to the Leguminosae.
Compare legume family.

Origin of leguminous

1650–60; < Latin legūmin- (stem of legūmen; see legume) + -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM leguminous

non·le·gu·mi·nous, adjective

Words nearby leguminous

legroom, leguaan, legume, legume family, legumin, leguminous, leguía, legwarmer, legwork, lehaim, lehayim

Example sentences from the Web for leguminous

British Dictionary definitions for leguminous

leguminous
/ (lɪˈɡjuːmɪnəs) /

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae), a family of flowering plants having pods (or legumes) as fruits and root nodules enabling storage of nitrogen-rich material: includes peas, beans, clover, gorse, acacia, and carob

Word Origin for leguminous

C17: from Latin legūmen; see legume

Scientific definitions for leguminous

legume
[ lĕg′yōōm′, lə-gyōōm′ ]

Any of a large number of eudicot plants belonging to the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae). Their characteristic fruit is a seed pod. Legumes live in a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in structures called nodules on their roots. These bacteria are able to take nitrogen from the air, which is in a form that plants cannot use, and convert it into compounds that the plants can use. Many legumes are widely cultivated for food, as fodder for livestock, and as a means of improving the nitrogen content of soils. Beans, peas, clover, alfalfa, locust trees, and acacia trees are all legumes.
The seed pod of such a plant.

Other words from legume

leguminous adjective