kumquat

Sometimes cum·quat

[kuhm-kwot]

noun

1. a small, round or oblong citrus fruit having a sweet rind and acid pulp, used chiefly for preserves.

2. any of several citrus shrubs of the genus Fortunella, native to China, that bear this fruit.

kumquat

/ ˈkʌmkwɒt /

noun

1. any of several small Chinese trees of the rutaceous genus Fortunella

2. the small round orange fruit of such a tree, with a sweet rind, used in preserves and confections

Word History and Origins

Origin of kumquat¹

First recorded in 1865–70; from dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) gāmgwāt “gold citrus fruit,” akin to Chinese jīnjù

Word History and Origins

Origin of kumquat¹

C17: from Chinese (Cantonese) kam kwat, representing Mandarin Chinese chin chü golden orange

Example Sentences

From currants and persimmons to kumquats and cherries, each fruit brings its own balance, complexity and a subtle intrigue that can elevate a dish in unexpected ways.

Read more on Salon

I like to get their kumquat tea, because I like that it’s not super sweet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His skill was perhaps most evident in his mastery of magical moles and his more inventive creations, like fried cochinita pibil head cheese with habanero ash emulsion, avocado mousse, and kumquat sauce.

Read more on Salon

My wife and I grow the basics — massive Bearss lemons, Persian and Mexican limes, a kumquat bush that right now is so brimming with thumb-size orange jewels that it looks like a traffic cone.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Holding on to his two wooden planks, he sits among kumquat and lime trees.

Read more on Los Angeles Times