strawberry tomato

American  

noun

1. the small, edible, tomato-like fruit of the plant Physalis pruinosa, of the nightshade family.

2. the plant itself.

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strawberry tomato British  

noun

1. a tropical solanaceous annual plant, Physalis peruviana, having bell-shaped whitish-yellow flowers and small edible round yellow berries

2. a similar and related plant, Physalis pubescens

3. the fruit of either of these plants, eaten fresh or made into preserves and pickles

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Etymology

Origin of strawberry tomato

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

The similar Philadelphia species was formerly cultivated for its "strawberry tomato."

From Project Gutenberg