fox grape

noun

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

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 of fox grape

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 Escape of Mr. Trimm
Irvin S. Cobb
The tother tree to which its roots had been clingin' had gone into the river, takin' the fox-grape along wi' it.
Our Young Folks--Vol. I, No. II, February 1865
Various
Either rumour had exaggerated the virtues of fox-grape juice, or the Northmen were not such good judges of wine as of ale.
The Discovery of America Vol. 1 (of 2)
John Fiske.

British Dictionary definitions for fox grape

fox grape

noun

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

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