1. 1. A thorny evergreen shrub or small tree (Citrus medica) native to India and widely cultivated for its large lemonlike fruits that have a thick warty rind.
   2. The fruit of this plant, whose rind is often candied and used in confections and fruitcakes.
2. A globose watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) having white flesh that is candied or pickled.
3. A grayish-green yellow.

[Middle English, from Old French, alteration (influenced by limon, lemon) of Latin (mālum) citreum, citron (fruit), from citrus, citron tree.]

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.