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papaw

American  
[paw-paw, puh-paw] / ˈpɔ pɔ, pəˈpɔ /

noun

  1. a variant of pawpaw.


papaw British  
/ pəˈpɔː /

noun

  1. another name for papaya

  2. Also called: custard apple

    1. a bush or small tree, Asimina triloba, of central North America, having small fleshy edible fruit: family Annonaceae

    2. the fruit of this tree

"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

Etymology

Origin of papaw

C16: from Spanish papaya

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“He’ll tell her ‘Honey, papaw can’t do that,’ ” she said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2023

He’s not basking on his basking log, and neither is he napping beneath the papaw trees.

From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2022

When I visited on Christmas Eve, it was the first time I had returned since papaw died in 2011.

From Salon • May 2, 2020

The house was filled with shadows where before, light and cool breezes had swept through, refreshing the haven my papaw and granny created through their quiet labor.

From Salon • May 2, 2020

“No, I ain’t talking about the Pervert Preacher. I mean Dill’s papaw. You telling me Dill ain’t told you about his papaw, the Serpent King?”

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner