from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lentil \Len"til\ (l[e^]n"t[i^]l), n. [F. lentille, fr. L.
lenticula, dim. of lens, lentis, lentil. Cf. {Lens}.] (Bot.)
A leguminous plant of the genus {Ervum} ({Ervum Lens}), of
small size, common in the fields in Europe. Also, its seed,
which is used for food on the continent.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The lentil of the Scriptures probably included several
other vetchlike plants.
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{Lentil shell} (Zool.), a small bivalve shell of the genus
{Ervillia}, family {Tellinid[ae]}.
[1913 Webster]