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papaw

American  
[paw-paw, puh-paw] / ˈpɔ pɔ, pəˈpɔ /

noun

  1. a variant of pawpaw.


papaw British  
/ pəˈpɔː /

noun

  1. another name for papaya

  2. Also called: custard apple

    1. a bush or small tree, Asimina triloba, of central North America, having small fleshy edible fruit: family Annonaceae

    2. the fruit of this tree

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of papaw

C16: from Spanish papaya

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“He’ll tell her ‘Honey, papaw can’t do that,’ ” she said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2023

He’s not basking on his basking log, and neither is he napping beneath the papaw trees.

From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2022

The house was filled with shadows where before, light and cool breezes had swept through, refreshing the haven my papaw and granny created through their quiet labor.

From Salon • May 2, 2020

When I visited on Christmas Eve, it was the first time I had returned since papaw died in 2011.

From Salon • May 2, 2020

“No, I ain’t talking about the Pervert Preacher. I mean Dill’s papaw. You telling me Dill ain’t told you about his papaw, the Serpent King?”

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner