rough lemon

noun

1
: a hybrid lemon that forms a large spreading thorny tree, bears rough-skinned fruit, and is important chiefly as a rootstock for other citrus trees
2
: the fruit of a rough lemon

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rough lemon was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near rough lemon

Cite this Entry

“Rough lemon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rough%20lemon. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!