myrobalan

American  

[mahy-rob-uh-luhn, mi-] / maɪˈrɒb ə lən, mɪ- /

noun

1. the dried plumlike fruit of certain tropical trees of the genus Phyllanthus, used in dyeing, tanning, and making ink.

2. cherry plum.

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myrobalan British  

/ maɪˈrɒbələn, mɪ- /

noun

1. the dried plumlike fruit of various tropical trees of the genus Terminalia, used in dyeing, tanning, ink, and medicine

2. a dye extracted from this fruit

3. another name for cherry plum

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Etymology

Origin of myrobalan

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin myrobalanum < Greek myrobálanos kind of fruit, equivalent to mýro ( n ) balsam + bálanos acorn

Example Sentences

In the North the larger part of the plum stocks are grown on the Myrobalan plum roots.

From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde)

Mr Pearson states that six kinds of stocks are used in the best nurseries—i.e. the common plum, the Brussels, the Mussel, the Brompton, the Damas Noir or St Julien, and the Myrobalan.

From The Book of Pears and Plums by Bartrum, Edward

This Myrobalan is an Old World species of plum, of smaller growth than the Domestica.

From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde)

Many deciduous plants can be used for hedges, but a good selection comprises Beech, Hornbeam, Quick, Myrobalan Plum, and Sweetbriar.

From Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens by Cook, Ernest Thomas

If these are Myrobalan plums, will trees from them be as good as trees from pits that were imported?

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)