ˈapple-john
Also John-apple.
[‘so called because it is ripe about S. John's Day.’ Britten and Holl.]
A kind of apple said to keep two years, and to be in perfection when shrivelled and withered.
| 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, ii. iv. 5 A Dish of Apple-Iohns [see context]. 1623 Mabbe Aleman's Guzman D'Alf. ii. 310 Her face (like an old Apple-John) all shrivelled. 1708 J. Phillips Cyder i. (N.) John-apple, whose wither'd rind, entrench'd By many a furrow, aptly represents Decrepid age. c 1811 W. Irving in Warner Life (1882) 77 Poor Jemmy—he is but a withered little apple-john. |