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n. 1. Any of various mostly tropical plants of the genus Mimosa in the pea family, having globular heads of small flowers with protruding stamens and usually bipinnate, compound leaves often sensitive to touch or light. 2. Any of various similar plants of the genus Acacia in the pea family, especially silver wattle. 3. See silk tree. 4. A drink consisting of champagne and orange juice. [New Latin Mīmōsa, genus name, from Latin mīmus, mime (from the plant's apparent mimicry of animal reactions), from Greek mīmos.]  (click for a larger image) mimosaundisturbed leaf(left) and touched leaf with leaflets folding inward (right) |
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