pome

[ pohm ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the characteristic fruit of the apple family, as an apple, pear, or quince, in which the edible flesh arises from the greatly swollen receptacle and not from the carpels.

pome

/ pəʊm /

noun

1. the fleshy fruit of the apple and related plants, consisting of an enlarged receptacle enclosing the ovary and seeds

pome

/ pōm /

1. A fleshy simple fruit that has several seed chambers developed from a compound ovary and an outer fleshy part developed from the enlarged base of the flower. The pome is an accessory fruit and is characteristic of certain plants in the rose family, such as the apple and pear.
2. Also called false fruit
3. Compare berrySee more at accessory fruit

Other Words From

• pomelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pome¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin pōma, plural (taken as singular) of pōmum fruit

Word History and Origins

Origin of pome¹

C15: from Old French, from Late Latin pōma apple, pl (assumed to be sing) of Latin pōmum apple

Example Sentences

Crops at risk of this particular invasive species include pome and stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados and many vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers.

From Los Angeles Times

I asked him, you mean like them pomes what is read?

From Washington Post

Affected apples also contain an excess amount of sorbitol — a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that's commonly found in berries and pome fruit varieties.

From Salon

I made a ‘pome’ yesterday, when I was helping Hannah wash, and as Father likes my silly little things, I put it in to amuse him.

From Literature

Quince is ginkgo-leaf yellow when ripe, and the pome is sensual to the eye and in hand — all Rubenesque curves and dimples.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• berry
• crop
• grain
• nut
• produce
• product