English

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Etymology 1

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Calque of Chinese 冬瓜 (dōngguā).

 
Fruits of Benincasa hispida

Noun

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winter melon (plural winter melons)

  1. Benincasa hispida, a species of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) commonly cultivated in Asia.
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Etymology 2

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Calque of French melon d’hiver or German Wintermelone.

 
'Canaria', a cultivar of Spanish melon

Noun

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winter melon (plural winter melons)

  1. Any late-maturing variety of true melon (Cucumis melo), such as honeydew melon (Inodorus Group), Cassaba melon (Cassaba Group), and Spanish melon (Ibericus Group).
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Etymology 3

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Noun

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winter melon (plural winter melons)

  1. (obsolete) A type of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus).
    • 1699, John Evelyn, Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets:
      There is also a winter-melon, large and with black seeds, exceedingly cooling, brought us from abroad, and the hotter climates, where they drink water after eating melons...