star apple

star apple
1. the edible fruit of a West Indian tree, Chrysophyllum cainito, of the sapodilla family, which when cut across exhibits a star-shaped figure within.
2. the tree itself.
[1675-85]

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plant
      (Chrysophyllum cainito), tropical American tree, of the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae), native to the West Indies and Central America. It is cultivated for its edible fruit, which is the size and shape of an apple and is named for the star-shaped core. The surface of the fruit is firm and smooth. Both the skin and the flesh, which is sweet and tasty, vary in colour, ranging from white to purple. The tree grows about 7.5–15 m (25–50 feet) tall and has purplish white flowers.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Star apple — Star Star (st[aum]r), n. [OE. sterre, AS. steorra; akin to OFries. stera, OS. sterro, D. ster, OHG. sterno, sterro, G. stern, Icel. stjarna, Sw. stjerna, Dan. stierne, Goth. sta[ i]rn[=o], Armor. & Corn. steren, L. stella, Gr. asth r, a stron,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • star apple — /star ˈæpəl/ (say stahr apuhl) noun 1. the edible fruit of a West Indian tree, Chrysophyllum cainito, of the size of an apple, and when cut across presenting a star shaped figure within. 2. Also, star apple tree. the tree; caimito …  

  • star-apple — starˈ apple noun The edible fruit of the West Indian sapotaceous tree Chrysophyllum cainito • • • Main Entry: ↑star …   Useful english dictionary

  • star apple — n. 1. a tropical American evergreen tree (Chrysophyllum cainito) of the sapodilla family, with shiny leaves, whitish flowers, and applelike fruit showing a starlike figure inside when cut across 2. its fruit …   English World dictionary

  • star-apple — žvaigždinis geltis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Sapotinių šeimos medieninis augalas (Chrysophyllum cainito), paplitęs Pietų Amerikoje, kituose atogrąžų kraštuose auginamas. Jo vaisiai ir sėklos valgomi. atitikmenys: lot. Chrysophyllum… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • star apple — star′ ap ple n. 1) pln the edible fruit of a West Indian tree, Chrysophyllum cainito, of the sapodilla family, which when cut across exhibits a star shaped figure within 2) pln the tree itself • Etymology: 1675–85 …   From formal English to slang

  • star apple — noun Date: 1683 a tropical American tree (Chrysophyllum cainito) of the sapodilla family grown in warm regions for ornament or fruit; also its usually green to purple apple shaped edible fruit that when cut in cross section reveals a star shaped… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • star apple — noun an edible purple fruit of a tropical American tree (Chrysophyllum cainito), having a star shaped cross section …   English new terms dictionary

  • star apple — noun evergreen tree of West Indies and Central America having edible purple fruit star shaped in cross section and dark green leaves with golden silky undersides • Syn: ↑caimito, ↑Chrysophyllum cainito • Hypernyms: ↑fruit tree • Member Holonyms:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Star apple — Chrysophyllum (E) …   EthnoBotanical Dictionary

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