japan medlar

1 definition found

japan medlar - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Medlar \Med"lar\, n. [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F.
     n['e]flier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. ?, ?. Cf.
     Naseberry.]
     A tree of the genus Mespilus (Mespilus Germanica); also,
     the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small
     apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh
     is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun
     to decay.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Japan medlar (Bot.), the loquat. See Loquat.
  
     Neapolitan medlar (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree (Crataegus  Azarolus
        ); also, its fruit.
        [1913 Webster]