damson

[ dam-zuhn, -suhn ]

noun

1. Also called damson plum. the small, dark-blue or purple fruit of a plum, Prunus insititia, of the rose family, introduced into Europe from Asia Minor.
2. a medium to dark violet.

adjective

1. of the color damson.

damson

/ ˈdæmzən /

noun

1. a small rosaceous tree, Prunus domestica instititia (or P. instititia ), cultivated for its blue-black edible plumlike fruit and probably derived from the bullace See also plum 1
2. the fruit of this tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of damson¹

1350–1400; Middle English damascene, damson < Latin ( prūnum ) Damascēnum (plum) of Damascus; Damascene

Word History and Origins

Origin of damson¹

C14: from Latin prūnum Damascēnum Damascus plum

Example Sentences

So Adelaide washed the Damson plums carefully, and with a silver knife slit each one before putting them into the saucepan.

From Project Gutenberg

The Damson plums Adelaide wiped thoroughly, and pricked each one with a silver fork twice.

From Project Gutenberg

His damson-jam eyes were moist and sad and his breathing even more stertorous than usual.

From Project Gutenberg

The effect of this neglect is particularly obvious in apples, pears, and damson-plums.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a bow-legged, brindle bull with undershot jaw and eyes like damson jam.

From Project Gutenberg