medlar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary, Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “medlar” mean?
A small brown fruit resembling a small apple, eaten when overripe and soft.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small brown fruit resembling a small apple, eaten when overripe and soft.
The tree (Mespilus germanica) that produces this fruit, or a related fruit (loquat) known as Japanese medlar.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The fruit and tree are slightly better known in British horticulture and literature due to its historical cultivation in Europe. In American English, it is almost exclusively a specialist or literary term.
Connotations
Often carries antiquated, rustic, or poetic connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, but marginally higher in UK texts, especially historical or gardening-related ones.
Grammar
How to Use “medlar” in a Sentence
[to eat/use/pick/harvest] a medlarmedlar [tree/jelly/fruit]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “medlar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fruit must be bletted before it can be eaten.
American English
- We let the medlars blet on the windowsill.
adjective
British English
- The medlar jelly had a unique, tangy flavour.
American English
- He pruned the medlar branches in early spring.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and literary studies.
Everyday
Rarely used. Might appear in gardening discussions or historical novels.
Technical
Used in botanical and pomology texts to refer to the species *Mespilus germanica*.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “medlar”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈmiːdlər/ (like 'medal').
- Confusing it with a crabapple or quince.
- Using it as a common noun outside specific contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but only after it has become overripe and soft (a state called 'bletted'). Eating it hard is unpleasant.
Bletting is the process of ripening where the fruit softens and sugars develop after frost or prolonged storage. It's essential for medlars.
No. The true medlar is *Mespilus germanica*. 'Japanese medlar' is a common name for the loquat (*Eriobotrya japonica*), a different fruit.
It has a very short shelf life in its edible state, is not widely cultivated commercially, and is considered a niche or heritage fruit.
A small brown fruit resembling a small apple, eaten when overripe and soft.
Medlar is usually formal/literary, horticultural in register.
Medlar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛdlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛdlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific. Historically referenced in Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure' ('They would have married me to the rotten medlar').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'meddler' – someone who interferes. A **medlar** is a fruit you must 'meddle' with (let it rot) before eating.
Conceptual Metaphor
A medlar (when bletted/overripe) can be a metaphor for something that only becomes valuable or pleasant after a period of decay or aging.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'medlar' primarily known as?