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1. 1. A deciduous tree (Prunus dulcis), native to Asia and northern Africa and having alternate, simple leaves, pink flowers, and leathery fruits.
   2. The ellipsoidal kernel of this tree, either eaten as a nut or used for extraction of an oil for flavoring.
2. Any of several other plants, such as the Indian almond, especially those with fruits or seeds suggestive of the almond.
3. Something having the oval form of an almond.
4. A pale tan.

[Middle English almande, from Old French, from Late Latin amandula, alteration of Latin amygdala, from Greek amugdalē.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.