Medlar

medlar
    n 1: small deciduous tree of southern Africa having edible fruit
         [syn: {wild medlar}, {wild medlar tree}, {medlar},
         {Vangueria infausta}]
    2: small deciduous Eurasian tree cultivated for its fruit that
       resemble crab apples [syn: {medlar}, {medlar tree}, {Mespilus
       germanica}]
    3: a South African globular fruit with brown leathery skin and
       pithy flesh having a sweet-acid taste
    4: crabapple-like fruit used for preserves
    

Medlar \Med"lar\, n. [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F.
   n['e]flier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. ?, ?. Cf.
   {Naseberry}.]
   A tree of the genus {Mespilus} ({Mespilus Germanica}); also,
   the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small
   apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh
   is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun
   to decay.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Japan medlar} (Bot.), the loquat. See {Loquat}.

   {Neapolitan medlar} (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree ({Crataegus
      Azarolus}); also, its fruit.
      [1913 Webster]