persimmon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of several tropical trees of the genus Diospyros
    persimmon tree.
  2. noun orange fruit resembling a plum; edible when fully ripe

WordNet


Per*sim"mon noun
Etymology
Virginia Indian.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) An American tree (Diospyros Virginiana) and its fruit, found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and nutritious.

Webster 1913