Citrullus

noun

Ci·​trul·​lus
-ləs
: a genus of African plants (family Cucurbitaceae) having pinnatifid leaves, small sepals, solitary staminate flowers, a corolla 5-parted to the base, and fleshy succulent fruits and including the widely cultivated watermelon and the colocynth

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin citrullus, citrolus, a kind of cucumber, from (assumed) Old Italian dialect citrulo (Italian cetriolo), from (assumed) Vulgar Latin citriolum, from Late Latin citrium, a kind of cucumber, from Latin, citron, from citrus

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Cite this Entry

“Citrullus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Citrullus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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