stone-fruit
1. [stone n. 12.] A fruit having the seed or kernel surrounded by a ‘stone’ or hard endocarp within the pulp; a drupe. (Also collectively: cf. fruit n. 2 a.)
| 1523–34 Fitzherb. Husb. §140 All maner of stone fruite, and nuttes. 1600 Surflet Country Farm iii. xliv. 511 Plum trees, and other trees bearing stone fruit. 1675 Cotton Planters Man. title-p., All sorts of Fruit-Trees, whether Stone-fruits, or Pepin-fruits. 1842 Loudon Suburban Hort. 441 It ought not to be gathered till it is quite ripe, which in stone fruits and berries is known by its softness and fragrance. 1883 Evang. Mag. Oct. 460 The kind of fruit called a ‘Drupe,’..generally known as a ‘stone-fruit’. |
| attrib. 1721 Mortimer Husb. (ed. 5) II. 305 Stone-Fruit Trees generally bear on the Branches of the foregoing Year. 1855 Delamer Kitch. Gard. (1861) 145 Stone-fruit-trees are almost always budded instead of being grafted. |
2. (As two words.) [
stone n. 2 e, 17 b.] Imitation fruit made of stoneware, used as chimney ornaments.
| 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 371/1 Of stone fruit there are now usually six street sellers... The fruit is principally made at Chesterfield in Derbyshire... The most saleable fruits are apples, pears, peaches, apricots, oranges, lemons, and cucumbers. The cucumbers, which are sometimes of pot as well as of stone..are sometimes made to serve for gin-bottles. |