'Vanilla bean' definitions:

Definition of 'vanilla bean'

(from WordNet)
noun
Long bean-like fruit; seeds are used as flavoring

Definition of 'Vanilla bean'

From: GCIDE
  • 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 fab[ae]) 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 fab[ae]}.
  • 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. Ignatius's 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]

Definition of 'Vanilla bean'

From: GCIDE
  • Vanilla \Va*nil"la\, n. [NL., fr. Sp. vainilla, dim. of Sp. vaina a sheath, a pod, L. vagina; because its grains, or seeds, are contained in little pods.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. (Bot.) A genus of climbing orchidaceous plants, natives of tropical America. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The long podlike capsules of Vanilla planifolia, and Vanilla claviculata, remarkable for their delicate and agreeable odor, for the volatile, odoriferous oil extracted from them; also, the flavoring extract made from the capsules, extensively used in confectionery, perfumery, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: As a medicine, vanilla is supposed to possess powers analogous to valerian, while, at the same time, it is far more grateful. [1913 Webster]
  • Cuban vanilla, a sweet-scented West Indian composite shrub (Eupatorium Dalea).
  • Vanilla bean, the long capsule of the vanilla plant.
  • Vanilla grass. Same as Holy grass, under Holy. [1913 Webster]