morello
(mɒˈrɛləʊ)
Also 7 morrello, 8 morelli, 7–9 morella.
[Of uncertain origin.
Usually referred to It. morello, fem. morella dark-coloured; but evidence that the fruit was so designated in It. is wanting. On the other hand the early mod. Flemish name was marelle, recognized by Kilian as aphetic for amarelle, ad. It. amarella, dim. of amaro:—L. amārus bitter. The Eng. name (also morel n.2, obs. F. morelle) may be an alteration of this, due to association with morel a.]
1. A kind of cherry, with a bitter taste. Also attrib.
| a 1648 Digby Closet Open. (1669) 112 Morello Wine. 1657 Austen Fruit Trees i. 81 The Morello Cherry and other deep-coloured pleasant Cherries no doubt would make a speciall good wine. 1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. July 70 Cherries. Carnations, Morella, Great-bearer [etc.]. 1693 ― De La Quint. Compl. Gard. II. 89 For really those Bigarreaux, and Morello's are admirable Fruits. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 297 Morella, or the Great Bearer, being a black Cherry fit for the Conservatory before it be through ripe, but 'tis bitter eaten raw. 1755 Johnson Connoisseur No. 80 ¶3 One was to pickle walnuts..another to make Morella brandy. 1761 Fitzgerald in Phil. Trans. LII. 72 Several branches of a morelli cherry-tree. 1824 Loudon Encycl. Gard. (ed. 2) §4583 The morello is much improved in flavor when planted against a wall of good aspect. 1882 Garden 21 Jan. 50/2 We should like..to know where a more beautiful flowering tree than the Morello Cherry can be found in spring. |
† 2. morello peach: see quot. Obs.
| 1665 Rea Flora 220 Morello Peach is a fair red-sided fruit, and parts from the stone. |