love apple

noun

1. a tropical, tender plant, Solanum aculeatissimum, of the nightshade family, having prickly leaves, clusters of large, star-shaped white flowers, and red, tomatolike fruit.
2. Archaic. the tomato.

love apple

noun

1. an archaic name for tomato

Word History and Origins

Origin of love apple¹

1570–80; compare French pomme d'amour, German Liebesapfel

Example Sentences

“You love pie and you love apples so I know you would just love this apple cobbler.”

From Salon

He was feeding a rhinoceros an apple — he learned rhinos love apples — when he got a call from a Minnesota number a minute after the deadline to inform him of the move.

From Washington Post

“Poison apples” or “love apples” were an attractive route to temptation or death.

From New York Times

They love apples and want them every day – until they don't.

From US News

“At 365, we love apples too, and get them from the same suppliers, but they may be smaller, less beautiful.”

From New York Times