Spanish lime
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A small, round, edible fruit, approximately one inch in diameter, native to the Caribbean and tropical America. It has a green, leathery skin and sweet, juicy, translucent pulp surrounding a large seed. It is typically eaten fresh by sucking the pulp from the seed. 2. The tropical American tree (Melicoccus bijugatus) that bears this fruit.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Fruit):
- The vendor sold bags of fresh Spanish lime at the market.
- We snacked on Spanish limes, enjoying their sweet and tangy flavor.
- Noun (Tree):
- A large Spanish lime tree provided shade in the courtyard.
- The Spanish lime is also known as the genip or mamoncillo.
Advanced Usage
- The term "Spanish lime" is a common name used primarily in English. In many regions where the fruit is grown, it is known by other names such as mamoncillo, genip, guinep, or quenepa.
- While "lime" is in its name, it is not a citrus fruit and is botanically unrelated to the common lime ().
Variants and Related Words
- Mamoncillo: The most common Spanish name for the fruit and tree.
- Genip / Guinep: Common names used in various Caribbean islands.
- Melicoccus bijugatus: The scientific (botanical) name for the tree.
Synonyms
- Mamoncillo
- Genip
- Guinep
- Quenepa
- Honeyberry (less common)
Notes on Meaning
The word has two closely related primary meanings: 1) the fruit itself, which is the most common reference, and 2) the tree that produces the fruit. The context usually makes it clear which is intended.
Noun
- round one-inch Caribbean fruit with green leathery skin and sweet juicy translucent pulp; eaten like grapes
- tropical American tree bearing a small edible fruit with green leathery skin and sweet juicy translucent pulp