n. 1. A deciduous shrub or small tree (Punica granatum) native to Asia and widely cultivated for its edible fruit. 2. The fruit of this tree, having a tough reddish rind and containing numerous seeds surrounded by tart juicy red pulp. [Middle English pome granate, from Old French pome grenate : pome, apple; see POME + grenate, having many seeds (from Latin grānātus, from grānum, grain, seed; see gə-no- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] (click for a larger image) pomegranatePunica granatum |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.