pepo

[ pee-poh ]

noun

, plural pe·pos.

1. the characteristic fruit of plants of the gourd family, having a fleshy, many-seeded interior and a hard or firm rind, as the gourd, melon, and cucumber.

pepo

/ ˈpiːpəʊ /

noun

1. the fruit of any of various cucurbitaceous plants, such as the melon, squash, cucumber, and pumpkin, having a firm rind, fleshy watery pulp, and numerous seeds

Word History and Origins

Origin of pepo¹

1700–10; < Latin pepō large melon, pumpkin < Greek pépōn, short for pépōn ( síkyos ) ripe (gourd)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pepo¹

C19: from Latin: pumpkin, from Greek pepōn edible gourd, from peptein to ripen

Example Sentences

Among the first was that of Bologna, where Pepo began to expound the law in 1075.

From Project Gutenberg

A fourth, Pepo rotundus major, added in the edition of 1616, appears to me to be C. maxima.

From Project Gutenberg

In the drawing of Pepo oblongus of Lobel, Icones, 641, the character of the peduncle is clearly defined.

From Project Gutenberg

The pepo, another indehiscent syncarpous fruit, is illustrated by the fruit of the gourd, melon (fig. 31) and other Cucurbitaceae.

From Project Gutenberg

Figure 189 exhibits the effect of light applied alternately above or below the cotyledon of Cucurbita Pepo.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• papaya
• watermelon