medlar Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small deciduous tree of southern Africa having edible fruit
    wild medlar tree; Vangueria infausta; wild medlar.
  2. noun small deciduous Eurasian tree cultivated for its fruit that resemble crab apples
    Mespilus germanica; medlar tree.
  3. noun a South African globular fruit with brown leathery skin and pithy flesh having a sweet-acid taste
  4. noun crabapple-like fruit used for preserves

WordNet

Med"lar noun
Etymology
OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. néflier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. , . Cf. Naseberry.
Definitions
  1. A tree of the genus Mespilus (M. 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.

Webster 1913