POD, n. The pericarp, capsule or See d vessel of certain plants. The silique or pod is an oblong, membranaceous, two valved pericarp, having the See ds fixed along both sutures. A legume is a pericarp of two valves, in which the See ds are fixed along one suture only.
According to these descriptions, the See d vessels of peas and beans are legumes, and not pods; but in popular language, pod is used for the legume as well as for the silique or siliqua. In New England, it is the only word in popular use.
POD, v.i. To swell; to fill; also, to produce pods.
