blackheart

[ blak-hahrt ]

noun

1. Plant Pathology. a nonparasitic disease of plants, as of potatoes and various trees, in which internal plant tissues blacken, usually as a result of extremes in temperature.
2. Horticulture.
   1. a heart cherry having a dark skin.
   2. the tree bearing this fruit.

blackheart

/ ˈblækˌhɑːt /

noun

1. an abnormal darkening of the woody stems of some plants, thought to be caused by extreme cold
2. any of various diseases of plants, such as the potato, in which the central tissues are blackened
3. a variety of cherry that has large sweet fruit with purplish flesh and an almost black skin

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackheart¹

First recorded in 1700–10; black + heart

Example Sentences

"But you don't mean it, do you?" she said, lifting to him her face that was round and glossy like a blackheart cherry.

From Project Gutenberg

She tended with care her little garden, whose chief ornament was a fine cherry tree bearing luscious blackhearts, while her fellow-townsmen had only sour Morellos growing in their yards.

From Project Gutenberg

“Well,” chuckled the old man over the ancient joke, “he’s the colour of a blackheart cherry.”

From Project Gutenberg

Tell her to set out her best cake and that basket of blackhearts.”

From Project Gutenberg

Said Tom, ‘I do not know; But I can take you to a tree where blackheart cherries grow.’

From Project Gutenberg