lima bean

li·ma bean  (lm)

n. In both senses also called regionally butter bean.

1. Any of several varieties of a tropical American plant (Phaseolus limensis) having flat pods containing large, light green, edible seeds.

2. The seed of this plant.

---

[After Lima, Peru.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	lima bean - bush bean plant cultivated especially in southern United States having small flat edible seeds butter bean, butter-bean plant, Phaseolus lunatus, sieva bean butterbean, civet bean, sieva bean, butter bean - small flat green bean similar to lima beans genus Phaseolus, Phaseolus - herbs of warm regions including most American beans shell bean, shell bean plant - a bean plant grown primarily for its edible seed rather than its pod
	2.	lima bean - bush or tall-growing bean plant having large flat edible seeds lima bean plant, Phaseolus limensis lima bean - broad flat beans simmered gently; never eaten raw genus Phaseolus, Phaseolus - herbs of warm regions including most American beans shell bean, shell bean plant - a bean plant grown primarily for its edible seed rather than its pod
	3.	lima bean - broad flat beans simmered gently; never eaten raw shell bean - unripe beans removed from the pod before cooking Fordhooks - relatively large lima beans lima bean plant, Phaseolus limensis, lima bean - bush or tall-growing bean plant having large flat edible seeds