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.