crab apple

American  

noun

1. a small, sour, wild apple.

2. any of various small, tart, cultivated varieties of apple, used for making jelly and preserves.

3. any tree bearing such fruit.

---

crab apple British  

noun

1. any of several rosaceous trees of the genus Malus that have white, pink, or red flowers and small sour apple-like fruits

2. the fruit of any of these trees, used to make jam

---

Etymology

Origin of crab apple

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

Crab apple jelly shines like red gold in the sunlight next to jars of honey, the comb glistening inside.

From Southern Living • Jul. 6, 2011

Crab apple marmalade, is made in the same manner.

From The New England Cook Book, or Young Housekeeper's Guide Being a Collection of the Most Valuable Receipts; Embracing all the Various Branches of Cookery, and Written in a Minute and Methodical Manner by Anonymous