Winter melon

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Benincasa hispida, a species of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) commonly cultivated in Asia.
  2. 2
    Any late-maturing variety of true melon (Cucumis melo), such as honeydew melon (Inodorus Group), Cassaba melon (Cassaba Group), and Spanish melon (Ibericus Group).
  3. 3
    A type of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). obsolete

    "There is also a winter-melon, large and with black seeds, exceedingly cooling, brought us from abroad, and the hotter climates, where they drink water after eating melons..."

  4. 4
    the fruit of the winter melon vine; a green melon with pale green to orange flesh that keeps well wordnet
  5. 5
    any of a variety of muskmelon vines having fruit with a smooth white rind and white or greenish flesh that does not have a musky smell wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

Calque of Chinese 冬瓜 (dōngguā).

Etymology 2

Calque of French melon d'hiver.

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