Word Study
kumquat
CIDE DICTIONARY
kumquat, n. [Chin. kin keu.].
any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Fortunella (formerly Citrus ) of the rue family (Rutaceae ) (especially Citrus Japonica ) growing in China and Japan bearing small orange-colored edible fruits with thick sweet-flavored skin and sour pulp; also, any of the small acid, orange-colored citrus fruits of such plants, used mostly for preserves. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
kumquat, n. (also cumquat)
1 an orange-like fruit with a sweet rind and acid pulp, used in preserves.
2 any shrub or small tree of the genus Fortunella yielding this.
1 an orange-like fruit with a sweet rind and acid pulp, used in preserves.
2 any shrub or small tree of the genus Fortunella yielding this.
Etymology
Cantonese var. of Chin. kin k{uuml} golden orange
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