Definition

Noun 1. A dark red, plum-like fruit: The Chinese jujube is the edible fruit of a specific Old World tree (Ziziphus jujuba). It is characterized by its small, oval or round shape, smooth skin that turns dark red when fully ripe, and a single hard pit inside. The flesh is sweet and crisp when fresh, becoming chewier and date-like when dried.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Chinese jujube is a popular snack, often eaten dried.
  • She added fresh Chinese jujube to the herbal tea for natural sweetness.
  • The market sold baskets of ripe Chinese jujube.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical or horticultural writing, "Chinese jujube" specifically refers to the fruit of Mill., distinguishing it from other species in the genus.
  • The study focused on the antioxidant properties of the Chinese jujube.

Variants and Related Words

• Jujube (noun): A common shortened name for the Chinese jujube. Also used for related fruits and a type of candy.
• Red Date (noun): A common alternative name, especially when the fruit is dried, due to its resemblance to a date.
• Ziziphus jujuba (noun): The scientific (Latin) name for the tree that produces this fruit.
• Jujube Tree (noun): The tree bearing the jujube fruit.

Synonyms

• Red date
• Jujube (in its specific sense for this fruit)

Notes on Meaning

• The term "Chinese jujube" precisely identifies the fruit's origin and primary species, distinguishing it from other, sometimes inedible, "jujube" plants like the Christ's thorn jujube ().
• When dried, the fruit is commonly called a jujube or red date and is used similarly to dates in cooking and traditional medicine.

Noun

1. dark red plumlike fruit of Old World buckthorn trees