Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A general name of plants of the genus Cardiospermum (of which name it is a translation), but more especially of C. Halicacabum, a beautiful vine well known in cultivation, which in the United States has received the appropriate name of balloon-vine, from the large, triangular, inflated fruit. See balloon-vine. The genus takes its name from the white heart-shaped scar which marks the attachment of the seed. It belongs to the natural order Sapindaceæ, or soapwort family. There are about 15 species, chiefly natives of tropical America; but the C. Halicacabum and two other species have a wider distribution. The names heart-pea and winter-cherry are also given to these plants. In the Moluccas the seeds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are also used in some countries as a remedy for lumbago. The mucilaginous root is a laxative and diuretic, and is used in cases of rheumatism.
Wiktionary
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. (Bot.) A climbing plant of the genus Cardiospermum, having round seeds which are marked with a spot like a heart.
WordNet 3.0
- n. herbaceous vine of tropical America and Africa
Etymologies
- heart + seed (Wiktionary)
Examples
“heartseed' or 'balloon vine,' from its inflated membraneous capsule, in which the tendrils grow from the flower-stalks; and another, one of the custard-apple tribe (_Annona hexapetala_), of which Smith tells us -- 'the flower-stalk of this tree forms a hook, and grasps the neighbouring branch, serving to suspend the fruit, which is very heavy, resembling a bunch of grapes.”
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 454 Volume 18, New Series, September 11, 1852
“Tactically you fax no a anosmia, but the nonsubmersible guys at the heartseed let us in, and gave us a pseudonym of pavlov for anatomically as downright.”
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