montmorency
montmorency Lexical Profile
• noun
A widely cultivated and popular variety of light-red sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), predominantly grown in North America and Europe, which is highly valued for use in pies, preserves, and tart cherry juice.
"The local farm stand quickly sold out of freshly harvested Montmorency cherries, which are a favorite among local pie bakers."
A commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France, historically known as a prestigious feudal stronghold.
European One of the oldest and most distinguished noble families of France, whose members historically held tremendous political power and titles such as Constable of France.
"The Duke of Montmorency played a pivotal role in the shifting political alliances of 16th-century France."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the cherry variety, the word is typically capitalized (Montmorency), though it is occasionally written in lowercase in generic agricultural contexts.
• Rhymes for montmorency
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the French commune of Montmorency in the Val-d'Oise department. The place name itself traces back to Medieval Latin 'Mons Maurentiacus', meaning 'Mount of Maurentius'. The cherry variety was named after the Montmorency valley in France where it was extensively cultivated.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.