Legume
Pronunciation : Leg"ume
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. l?gume, L. legumen, fr. legere to gather. So called because they may be gathered without cutting. See Legend.]
Definition : 1. (Bot.)
Defn: A pod dehiscent into two pieces or valves, and having the seed attached at one suture, as that of the pea.
Note: In the latter circumstance, it differs from a siliqua, in which the seeds are attached to both sutures. In popular use, a legume is called a pod, or cod; as, pea pod, or peas cod.
2. pl.
Defn: The fruit of leguminous plants, as peas, beans, lupines; pulse.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913