medlar

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun small deciduous tree of southern Africa having edible fruit
  2. noun small deciduous Eurasian tree cultivated for its fruit that resemble crab apples
  3. noun a South African globular fruit with brown leathery skin and pithy flesh having a sweet-acid taste

Etymology

From Middle English medler, medeler, from Old French medler, meslier, from medle, mesdle (“medlar fruit”), from Latin mespilum, from Ancient Greek μέσπιλον (méspilon). Related to the rare mesple, via Proto-West Germanic *mespilā. Displaced Old English openærs (“open-arse”) (and similar names, from anatomical comparison).

In classic literature

Synonyms

wild medlar, wild medlar tree, Vangueria infausta

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