sour gum

noun

1. a tree, Nyssa sylvatica, of eastern North America, having elliptic leaves, dark-blue, berrylike fruit, and wood with a variety of commercial uses.

sour gum

noun

1. See sweet gum, tupelo
   a cornaceous tree, Nyssa sylvatica, of the eastern US, having glossy leaves, soft wood, and sour purplish fruits Also calledblack gumpepperidge See also tupelo Compare sweet gum

Word History and Origins

Origin of sour gum¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

The leaves of the sour-gum, the first tree to turn, showed blood-red.

From Project Gutenberg

Sour Gum is harder, it splits with difficulty, and is fitted for small work and implements, such as wagon-hubs and tool-handles.

From Project Gutenberg

The Sour Gum bears ovoid bluish-black sour drupes, or fruit containing single roughened seeds.

From Project Gutenberg

The enlarged base and the larger fruit serve to distinguish it from the sour gum.

From Project Gutenberg

They are very sour, for which reason the tree is called sour gum.

From Project Gutenberg