three sisters

== English == === Etymology === A calque from an Iroquoian language, compare Mohawk áhsen nikontatenò:sen, Oneida áshʌnaɂtekutahnú·tele, and Onondaga ahsę́ naˀdegųdęhnų́·dæ·ˀ. First attested in 1850 in the context of Iroquoian mythology (see quote below). Use in reference to the plants themselves first attested in the 1890s (see also below). === Noun === three sisters pl (plural only) (US, Canada, agriculture, horticulture) The combination of maize (corn), pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris or climbing beans, string beans, etc.), and squash (i.e. pumpkin), especially when planted together in intertwined plantings. (obsolete, Iroquois mythology) The spirits or gods of corn, beans, and squash considered collectively. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see three,‎ sisters. ==== See also ==== milpa intercropping === References === === Further reading === Three Sisters (agriculture) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia