persimmon

[ per-sim-uhn ]

noun

1. any of several trees of the genus Diospyros, especially D. virginiana, of North America, bearing astringent, plumlike fruit that is sweet and edible when ripe, and D. kaki, of Japan and China, bearing soft, red or orange fruit.
2. the fruit itself.

persimmon

/ pɜːˈsɪmən /

noun

1. any of several tropical trees of the genus Diospyros, typically having hard wood and large orange-red fruit: family Ebenaceae
2. the sweet fruit of any of these trees, which is edible when completely ripe

Word History and Origins

Origin of persimmon¹

First recorded in 1605–15, Americanism; from Virginia Algonquian ( English spelling) pessemmins, pichamins, pushemins, putchamins (unidentified initial element + reflex of Proto-Algonquian (unattested) -min- “fruit, berry”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of persimmon¹

C17: of Algonquian origin; related to Delaware pasĭmĕnan dried fruit

Example Sentences

I really appreciated the language in the film, such as a line, “That’s a huckleberry above my persimmon,” which I am going to start using immediately.

From Salon

"In this study, yeast cultures grown in a medium containing ethanol and persimmon tannin showed an 8.9-fold increase in cell number compared to cultures grown in an ethanol medium without persimmon tannin," stated Professor Fujita.

From Science Daily

The farm also grows ice cream beans, persimmons, pomegranates, passion fruit, dragon fruit, cherimoyas and caviar limes in soil that has become more fertile from the biodiversity of crops.

From Los Angeles Times

They wheeled in carts brimming over with fae rose creams, persimmons and pomegranates, honey croissants, and sticky saffron cake.

From Literature

His father had remarried, and Abdullah’s young half siblings weaved in and out of the bright living room as his stepmother served me coffee and slices of persimmon.

From Los Angeles Times