CICER, or CHICK-PEA, in botany: A genus of the decandria order, belonging to the diadelphia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the Papilionaceæ, or 32d order. The calyx is quinquepartite, as long as the corolla, with its four uppermost segments incumbent on the vexillum: the legumen is rhomboidal, turbid, and disperous. There is but one species, which produces pea-shaped like the common ones, but much smaller. They are much cultivated in Spain, where they are natives, being one of the ingredients in their olives; as also in France; but are rarely known in Britain.