quince

[ kwins ]

noun

1. either of two small trees, Cydonia oblonga or C. sinensis, of the rose family, bearing hard, fragrant, yellowish fruit used chiefly for making jelly or preserves.
2. the fruit of such a tree.

quince

/ kwɪns /

noun

1. a small widely cultivated Asian rosaceous tree, Cydonia oblonga, with pinkish-white flowers and edible pear-shaped fruits
2. the acid-tasting fruit of this tree, much used in preserves
3. AlsoJapanese or flowering quince another name for japonica

Word History and Origins

Origin of quince¹

1275–1325; Middle English quince, apparently originally plural (taken as singular) of quyne, coyn < Middle French cooin < Latin cotōneum, akin to cydōnium < Greek ( mêlon ) Kydṓnion quince, literally, (apple) of Cydonia

Word History and Origins

Origin of quince¹

C14 qwince plural of quyn quince, from Old French coin, from Latin cotōneum, from Greek kudōnion quince, Cydonian (apple)

Example Sentences

“We think they are days from failure,” Bernanke (writing as Edward Quince) told colleagues, it was revealed in court last week.

From The Daily Beast

Based on Pinot Noir, it gives rich berry aromas alongside brioche, quince, and pears.

From The Daily Beast

In this fibrous mass the seeds, which are nearly as large as those of a quince, are disseminated.

From Project Gutenberg

In European nurseries the list of pears propagated on quince roots is much larger.

From Project Gutenberg

Some parties have recommended quince juice as the menstruum.

From Project Gutenberg

Quince is a fool, and Puff a rogue; and yet I think the criticism of the elder reviewer just as valuable.

From Project Gutenberg

Put through the meat chopper enough cherry, peach, or quince preserves to make a half-pint with the juice.

From Project Gutenberg