Japanese persimmon

American  

noun

1. the soft, orange or reddish, edible fruit of an Asian tree, Diospyros kaki.

2. the tree itself.

---

Japanese persimmon British  

noun

1. Also called: kaki.  an Asian persimmon tree, Diospyros kaki, with red or orange edible fruit

---

Etymology

Origin of Japanese persimmon

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In many ways, the Grand Kabuki is a Japanese persimmon on a U.S. theatergoer's palate.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the fruit stalls of all American cities, the Japanese persimmon is found in its season, the smooth, orange-red skin, easily mistaken for that of a tomato as the fruits lie in their boxes.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen

At the same time I grafted maybe a hundred Japanese persimmon of possibly a dozen varieties on the common native persimmon.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Incorporated 39th Annual Report at Norris, Tenn. September 13-15 1948 by Northern Nut Growers Association

In southern California no garden is complete without a Japanese persimmon tree to give beauty by its cheerful, leathery, green leaves and its rich-colored fruits.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen

Here and there one sees the guava, the Japanese persimmon, Japanese plum, or some similar exotic—but grapes and oranges are the principal product.

From The California Birthday Book by Various