pea

views updated May 29 2018

pea / / • n. 1. a spherical green seed that is widely eaten as a vegetable. ∎  any of a number of edible spherical seeds of the pea family, e.g., chickpea and black-eyed pea. 2. the widely cultivated Eurasian climbing plant (Pisum sativum) that yields pods containing these seeds. The pea family (Leguminosae, or Fabaceae) is sometimes divided among three smaller families: Papilionaceae (peas, beans, clovers, vetches, brooms, laburnums), Mimosaceae (mimosas, acacias), and Caesalpiniaceae (cassia, carob, and many tropical timber trees). ∎  used in names of other plants of this family that yield round seeds or have flowers resembling those of the pea, e.g., sweet pea.PHRASES: like peas (or two peas) in a pod so similar as to be indistinguishable or nearly so.

pea

views updated May 11 2018

pea
1.. (garden pea) See PISUM.

2.. (wild pea, sweet pea) See LATHYRUS.

3.. (Sturt's desert pea) See CLIANTHUS.

pea

views updated Jun 11 2018

pea Climbing annual plant (Pisum sativum), probably native to w Asia. It has small oval leaves and white flowers that give rise to pods containing wrinkled or smooth seeds. The seeds are a popular vegetable. It grows to 1.8m (6ft). Family Fabaceae/Leguminosae.

PEA

views updated Jun 11 2018

PEA Physical Education Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

pea

views updated May 17 2018

pea (round seed of) the plant Pisum sativum. XVII. Evolved as if a sg. from PEASE apprehended as a pl.