Bean \Bean\ (b[=e]n), n. [OE. bene, AS. be['a]n; akin to D.
boon, G. bohne, OHG. p[=o]na, Icel. baun, Dan. b["o]nne, Sw.
b["o]na, and perh. to Russ. bob, L. faba.]
1. (Bot.) A name given to the seed of certain leguminous
herbs, chiefly of the genera {Faba}, {Phaseolus}, and
{Dolichos}; also, to the herbs.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The origin and classification of many kinds are still
doubtful. Among true beans are: the black-eyed bean and
China bean, included in {Dolichos Sinensis}; black
Egyptian bean or hyacinth bean, {Dolichos Lablab}; the
common haricot beans, kidney beans, string beans, and
pole beans, all included in {Phaseolus vulgaris}; the
lower bush bean, {Phaseolus vulgaris}, variety nanus;
Lima bean, {Phaseolus lunatus}; Spanish bean and
scarlet runner, {Phaseolus multiflorus}; Windsor bean,
the common bean of England, {Faba vulgaris}.
[1913 Webster] As an article of food beans are classed
with vegetables.
[1913 Webster]
2. The popular name of other vegetable seeds or fruits, more
or less resembling true beans.
[1913 Webster]
{Bean aphis} (Zool.), a plant louse ({Aphis fabae}) which
infests the bean plant.
{Bean fly} (Zool.), a fly found on bean flowers.
{Bean goose} (Zool.), a species of goose ({Anser segetum}).
{Bean weevil} (Zool.), a small weevil that in the larval
state destroys beans. The American species is {Bruchus fabae}.
{Florida bean} (Bot.), the seed of {Mucuna urens}, a West
Indian plant. The seeds are washed up on the Florida
shore, and are often polished and made into ornaments.
{Ignatius bean}, or {St. Ignatiuss bean} (Bot.), a species
of {Strychnos}.
{Navy bean}, the common dried white bean of commerce;
probably so called because an important article of food in
the navy.
{Pea bean}, a very small and highly esteemed variety of the
edible white bean; -- so called from its size.
{Sacred bean}. See under {Sacred}.
{Screw bean}. See under {Screw}.
{Sea bean}.
(a) Same as {Florida bean}.
(b) A red bean of unknown species used for ornament.
{Tonquin bean}, or {Tonka bean}, the fragrant seed of
{Dipteryx odorata}, a leguminous tree.
{Vanilla bean}. See under {Vanilla}.
[1913 Webster]
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