medlar

Noun

medlar (plural medlars)

1. Mespilus germanica, common medlar (now often Crataegus germanica).
2. Any tree of the genus Mespilus, now Crataegus sect. Mespilus, including many species now in other genera.
3. Stern's medlar (Crataegus × canescens: family Rosaceae).
4. Mediterranean medlar or azarole (Crataegus azarolus: family Rosaceae).
5. Japanese medlar or loquat (Eriobotrya japonica: family Rosaceae).
6. Spanish medlar or bulletwood (Mimusops elengi: family Sapotaceae).
7. African medlar (Vangueria infausta: family Rubiaceae).
8. Wolfberry, goji, red medlar (Lycium spp.).
9. The fruit of such trees, similar to small apples
10. Especially that of Crataegus sect. Mespilus, not eaten until it has begun to decay, or more specifically, to blet.

    Synonyms:

    open-arse

11. (derogatory, intended sexually) A woman or a woman's genitalia (as the fruit's appearance resembles an "open-arse").
    • I was once before him for getting a wench with child....but I was fain to forswear it; they would else have married me to the rotten medlar.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...