Pampelmoes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A large citrus fruit with thick yellow or pink rind and tart, segmented flesh, native to Southeast Asia and similar to a grapefruit
2. A sizable citrus fruit characterized by a thick rind and a tart, juicy interior that originates from Southeast Asia and resembles the grapefruit
3. This fruit, known for its thick, yellow or pink skin and segmented pulp, is a native of Southeast Asia and bears similarities to the grapefruit

Etymology: The Dutch word "pompelmoes" and its French cousin "pamplemousse" both carry a hint of pumpkins and melons, though the fruit is a citrus. The Dutch first element may come from "pompel," meaning "thick," a nod to the fruit's heavy, thick-skinned rind, or from "pompoen," meaning "pumpkin," which in turn came from French "pompon," a pumpkin or melon. The second element is probably the Portuguese "limões," meaning "lemons," so the name blends a melon-like idea with a lemon. The most striking part of the story may be its possible Asian origin. The word may be a transcription of the Tamil "பம்ப ளிமாசு" (pampa ḷimācu), meaning "big citrus," which would mean a European name for the fruit was built on an Indian description of it. This link is only possible, so it should be read as a plausible theory rather than settled fact. The word also survives in South African English, where Afrikaans has the forms "pompelmoes" and "pampelmoes," showing that the name took root far from its European sources.

Synonyms: grapefruit