mimosa
nounUK /mɪˈməʊ.sə/ · US /mɪˈmoʊ.sə/
Etymology From New Latin mimosa, from Latin mimus (“mime, actor”), referring to Mimosa pudica and its habit of shrinking back when touched. The cocktail is named after the bright yellow, fragrant flowers of the mimosa Acacia dealbata.
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Biology, Botany, Natural sciences A plant belonging to the genus Mimosa usually found in tropical climates, their leaves are usually prickly and sensitive to touch or light, and have small white or pink flowers.
- A Guardia Civil spokesperson said that ayahuasca, San Pedro, toad poison, wild rue and mimosa pudica were prohibited substances in Spain, adding that their consumption was not authorised because, while they were natural substances, they could be highly dangerous to human health.2025 August 11, Sam Jones, “Ayahuasca and toad poison seized as police raid spiritual retreats in Spain”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
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Certain plants of the genus Albizia (silk tree, pink siris).
- Ya find yrself in the fret / of reclamation via musks all motherland-misty / (coconut milk, marine accord, mimosa tree).2018 December 23, Tarfia Faizullah, “Yr Not Exotic, but Once Ya Wanted to Be”, in Poetry, volume 213, number 3, page 270:
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Certain plants of the genus Acacia.
- Mitchell, Flinders and ribbon grasses, with occasional patches of spindle grass amongst which stood up the sweetly edible grey mimosa bush.1937, Ion L. Idriess, Over the Range, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, published 1947, page 45:
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A cocktail consisting of half champagne and half orange juice.
- Derived terms
- mimohuasca, mimosa webworm, mimosa weed
- Related terms
- mimosa salad, mimophant
- Hyponyms
- sensitive plant, touch-me-not