Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lemon?

\Lem"on\ (l[e^]m"[u^]n), n. [F. limon, Per. l[imac]m[=u]n; cf. Ar. laim[=u]n, Sp. limon, It. limone. Cf. {Lime} a fruit.] 1. (Bot.) An oval or roundish fruit resembling the orange, and containing a pulp usually intensely acid. It is produced by a tropical tree of the genus {Citrus}, the common fruit known in commerce being that of the species {C. Limonum} or {C. Medica} (var. Limonum). There are many varieties of the fruit, some of which are sweet. 2. The tree which bears lemons; the lemon tree. {Lemon grass} (Bot.), a fragrant East Indian grass ({Andropogon Sh[oe]nanthus}, and perhaps other allied species), which yields the grass oil used in perfumery. {Lemon sole} (Zo["o]l.), a yellow European sole ({Solea aurantiaca}). {Salts of lemon} (Chem.), a white crystalline substance, inappropriately named, as it consists of an acid potassium oxalate and contains no citric acid, which is the characteristic acid of lemon; -- called also {salts of sorrel}. It is used in removing ink stains. See {Oxalic acid}, under {Oxalic}. [Colloq.]