pomegranate

pomegranate
    n 1: shrub or small tree native to southwestern Asia having
         large red many-seeded fruit [syn: {pomegranate},
         {pomegranate tree}, {Punica granatum}]
    2: large globular fruit having many seeds with juicy red pulp in
       a tough brownish-red rind
    

Pomegranate \Pome"gran`ate\ (?; 277), n. [OE. pomgarnet, OF.
   pome de grenate, F. grenade, L. pomum a fruit + granatus
   grained, having many grains or seeds. See {Pome}, and
   {Garnet}, {Grain}.]
   1. (Bot.) The fruit of the tree {Punica Granatum}; also, the
      tree itself (see {Balaustine}), which is native in the
      Orient, but is successfully cultivated in many warm
      countries, and as a house plant in colder climates. The
      fruit is as large as an orange, and has a hard rind
      containing many rather large seeds, each one separately
      covered with crimson, acid pulp.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A carved or embroidered ornament resembling a pomegranate.
      --Ex. xxviii. 33.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Pomegranate
i.e., "grained apple" (pomum granatum), Heb. rimmon. Common in
Egypt (Num. 20:5) and Palestine (13:23; Deut. 8:8). The Romans
called it Punicum malum, i.e., Carthaginian apple, because they
received it from Carthage. It belongs to the myrtle family of
trees. The withering of the pomegranate tree is mentioned among
the judgments of God (Joel 1:12). It is frequently mentioned in
the Song of Solomon (Cant. 4:3, 13, etc.). The skirt of the high
priest's blue robe and ephod was adorned with the representation
of pomegranates, alternating with golden bells (Ex. 28:33,34),
as also were the "chapiters upon the two pillars" (1 Kings 7:20)
which "stood before the house."