citrus

[ si-truh s ]

/ ˈsɪ trəs /

noun, plural cit·rus·es.

any small tree or spiny shrub of the genus Citrus, of the rue family, including the lemon, lime, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, citron, kumquat, and shaddock, widely cultivated for fruit or grown as an ornamental.

the tart-to-sweet, pulpy fruit of any of these trees or shrubs, having a characteristically smooth, shiny, stippled skin.

adjective

Also cit·rous. of or relating to such trees or shrubs, or their fruit.

Nearby words

citronellol, citrovorum factor, citrulline, citrullinemia, citrullinuria, citrus, citrus canker, citrus greening disease, citrus heights, citrus red mite, citrus whitefly

Origin of citrus

1815–25; < New Latin, Latin: citron tree

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for citrus

I became numb to the barrage of smells: citrus disinfectants, burning trash, sewage, sweat, and diesel.
How I’ll End the War: My First Week Back in Afghanistan|Nick Willard|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Strong fennel and wormwood hit the back of my tongue along with a dryness from the barrel and hints of citrus from the chamomile.
The Absinthe-Minded Porteños of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|March 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He sprays the glass with some citrus peel and garnishes the cocktail with an organic flower and cinnamon sticks.
The Secret Speakeasies of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Where Citrus County felt like a coiled spring, the pace of A Million Heavens is sedate, diffused among a dozen or so characters.
3 Must-Read Offbeat Novels: ‘A Million Heavens,’ ‘The Investigation,’ ‘Office Girl’|Drew Toal, Kevin Canfield, Daniel Roberts|July 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST

If pairing with citrus flavors you might want to consider a nice Riesling as well.
Valentine's Day Wine and Chocolate Pairings|Snooth|February 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The next quality, "neroli bigarade," is derived from the blossoms of the Citrus bigaradia, or Seville orange.
The Art of Perfumery|G. W. Septimus Piesse
Just then the Citrus King leaned forward and shouted a query against the wind.
It Pays to Smile|Nina Wilcox Putnam
It was one part sharp mold, one part industrial disinfectant, a citrus smell that made your eyes water and your sinuses burn.
Makers|Cory Doctorow
The oil of orange flowers, called neroli, is extracted from the fresh flowers of the citrus aurantium.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
Citrus groves, grape vineyards, and areas once cleared by man are preferred to coastal sagebrush flats.
Mammals of the San Gabriel Mountains of California|Terry A. Vaughan

British Dictionary definitions for citrus

citrus

/ (ˈsɪtrəs) /

noun plural -ruses

any tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical rutaceous genus Citrus, which includes the orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, citron, and calamondin

adjective Also: citrous

of, relating to, or belonging to the genus Citrus or to the fruits of plants of this genus

Word Origin for citrus

C19: from Latin: citrus tree, sandarac tree; related to Greek kedros cedar

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for citrus

citrus

[ sĭt′rəs ]

Any of various evergreen trees or shrubs bearing fruit with juicy flesh and a thick rind. Citrus trees are native to southern and southeast Asia but are grown in warm climates around the world. Many species have spines. The orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit are citrus trees.

The usually edible fruit of one of these trees or shrubs.