pawpaw

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun tropical American shrub or small tree having huge deeply palmately cleft leaves and large oblong yellow fruit
  2. noun small tree native to the eastern United States having oblong leaves and fleshy fruit
  3. noun fruit with yellow flesh; related to custard apples

Etymology

Via Portuguese and Spanish papaya (which is botanically unrelated) from Lokono papáia; compare also Kari'na kapaja. Doublet of papaya. Alternatively from Yuchi pahpah.

In classic literature

Synonyms

papaya, papaia, papaya tree, melon tree, Carica papaya

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