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fox grape

noun
  1. a vine, Vitis labrusca, chiefly of the northeastern U.S., from which numerous cultivated grape varieties have been developed.
  2. the usually purplish-black, thick-skinned, sweet, musky fruit of this vine.
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Origin of fox grape

An Americanism dating back to 1630–40
Also called skunk grape.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for fox grape

Historical Examples

  • The fox-grape is also found in great plenty, and as big as one's thumb.

    The Citizen-Soldier

    John Beatty

  • The vine resembles the fox-grape in growth, being strong and vigorous.

    On the Trail

    Lina Beard and Adelia Belle Beard

  • Jake held the narrow dugout steady by a grip upon a fox-grape tendril.

  • The tother tree to which its roots had been clingin' had gone into the river, takin' the fox-grape along wi' it.

  • Either rumour had exaggerated the virtues of fox-grape juice, or the Northmen were not such good judges of wine as of ale.

British Dictionary definitions for fox grape

fox grape

noun
  1. a common wild grape, Vitis labrusca of the northern US, having purplish-black fruit and woolly leaves: the source of many cultivated grapes, including the catawba
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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