‖ citrus Bot.
(ˈsɪtrəs)
[L.: cf. Gr. κιτρέα, κίτριον citron-tree, κίτρον citron. Prob. ultimately of Eastern origin, the citron being described by Theophrastus as growing in Media, whence also the name µῆλον µηδικόν Median apple, and the specific name Citrus Mēdica.]
1. The Latin name of the citron-tree, now used as the name of the genus which includes the citron, lemon, lime, orange, shaddock, and their many varieties. Freq. attrib. or as adj.
It is still a question how many of these are specifically distinct. Lindley inclined to consider the whole as long-established varieties of the citron Citrus Medica. Hooker reckons about 5 good species, viz. C. Medica citron (with C. Limonum lemon, and C. Limetta sweet lime, as varieties or sub-species), C. Aurantium orange, C. decumana shaddock, and two others. The native region of these appears to be northern India, esp. about the eastern end of the Himalayas. The earliest known in the west was the citron, cultivated by the 4th c. b.c. in Western Asia, whence it was obtained by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The orange and lemon were found in India by the Arabs, and by them carried westward, reaching Southern Europe about the 12th or 13th c.
| 1825 Greenhouse Comp. I. 81 The Citrus tribe is also propagated by cuttings and layers. 1882 Harper's Mag. Dec. 59/2 Lands suitable for the cultivation of the citrus fruits. 1883 Century Mag. XXVI. 804 Citrus fruits do not flourish in this belt. 1885 A. Brassey The Trades 139 The orange, lemon, shaddock, pomelo, and every description of citrus, were weighed down by their own golden fruit. 1904 Westm. Gaz. 18 Nov. 2/3 ‘Forbidden Fruit’—this name is sometimes loosely given to this whole group of citrus varieties. 1906 Macm. Mag. Aug. 794 Fruit-trees, especially the citrus and stone varieties. 1953 Manch. Guardian Weekly 13 Aug. 7 The succulent citrus crops. |
2. The name by which the Romans knew an African tree, probably Callitris quadrivalvis, the fragrant wood of which was highly prized for making furniture.
| 1865 Daubeny Trees Anc. 40. |