Alkekengi \Al`ke*ken"gi\, n. [Cf. F. alk['e]kenge, Sp. alquequenje, ultimately fr. Ar. al-k[=a]kanj a kind of resin from Herat.] (Bot.) An herbaceous plant of the nightshade family ({Physalis alkekengi}) and its fruit, which is a well flavored berry, the size of a cherry, loosely inclosed in a enlarged leafy calyx; -- also called {winter cherry}, {ground cherry}, and {strawberry tomato}. --D. C. Eaton. [1913 Webster]