checkerberry

American  

[chek-er-ber-ee] / ˈtʃɛk ərˌbɛr i /

noun

• checkerberries
  plural

1. the red fruit of the American wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens.

2. the plant itself.

3. any of several other plants bearing similar fruit, or the fruit itself.

---

checkerberry British  

/ ˈtʃɛkəbərɪ, -brɪ /

noun

1. the fruit of any of various plants, esp the wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens )

2. any plant bearing this fruit

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• checkerberries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of checkerberry

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; perhaps so named from its appearance

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

checkerberry checkerberries

"But, Aileen, won't you stay to supper?" said the twins at one and the same time; "we always have you to celebrate our checkerberry picnic."

From Flamsted quarries by G. Patrick Nelson

Here were, indeed, great riches, "a little of everything" that pasture life affords: a hardy bed of checkerberry, crimson strawberries nodding on long stalks, and in one sequestered corner the beloved Linnæa.

From Tiverton Tales by Alice Brown

But when he saw a cluster of checkerberry plums in spring gleam withered red against gray moss, on some stony upland, he stood still and pondered.

From The Best Short Stories of 1921 and the Yearbook of the American Short Story by Edward J. (Edward Joseph Harrington) O'Brien

They're as innocent as they look; good honest mint and spice and checkerberry and lemon and rose.

From Real Folks by A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train) Whitney

“I will go over on the hill and get her some young checkerberry leaves,” resolved Anna, remembering how Rebby liked their sharp flavor.

From A Little Maid of Old Maine by Alice Turner Curtis

The checkerberries and beechnuts were just ripe, and 142 very good.

From A Northern Countryside by Rosalind Richards

Jill's was white, with tiny scarlet leaves all over it, trimmed with red braid and buttons so like checkerberries she was tempted to eat them.

From Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott

Then this,” and he pointed at the maskalonge, “broiled on a pointed stick, with a handful of checkerberries for dessert, and I think you and I will be about ready to begin work in earnest!”

From Darkness and Dawn by George Allan England

Let her learn the difference between huckleberries and blackberries, learn where checkerberries grow thickest and dig up sweet flag root with her own hands as country children do.

From Dr. Hardhack's Prescription A Play for Children in Four Acts by Katharine McDowell Rice

It was too dark now to look for checkerberries and violet buds.

From Minnie; or, The Little Woman A Fairy Story by Caroline Snowden Guild