medlar
medlar Lexical Profile
medlar Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, brown, apple-like fruit of the medlar tree that is traditionally eaten only after it has undergone bletting, a process of over-ripening or partial decay that makes it sweet and soft.
"During the medieval period, the medlar was a highly popular winter fruit, often enjoyed alongside cheese and port wine."
A small deciduous tree (Mespilus germanica) of the rose family, native to southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, cultivated for its edible fruit and ornamental white flowers.
"We planted a medlar in the orchard to add some historical interest and diversity to our autumn fruit harvest."
• Rhymes for medlar
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English medler, from Old French meslier (medlar tree), based on mesle (medlar fruit), from Latin mespilum, ultimately from Ancient Greek mespilon.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.