mimosa

Everyday

1. A tree or shrub with fluffy yellow or pink flowers. tree →
2. A small «sensitive plant» whose leaves fold up when you touch them. tree →
3. A drink of orange juice and sparkling wine (in the UK called a Buck's Fizz). tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons the sensitive mimosa plant shows that plants can respond to touch. In France and Australia (where the yellow kind is called wattle) mimosa flowers mark early spring. The drink is for adults. Phrases: «sensitive plant».

Examples

• When I touched the mimosa, its leaves folded up. tree →
• The mimosa tree was covered in fluffy yellow flowers. tree →
• Mimosa blossoms smell sweet. tree →
• In Australia, yellow mimosa is called wattle. tree →
• The grown-ups had mimosas at brunch. tree →
• This evening they sit beneath the lofty palm trees, where the crane flutters round them with its long wings, and the pelican watches them from the branches of the mimosa. tree →

Note

Countable. Say mi-MOH-suh. The drink contains alcohol.