calabash

(kal′ə bas̸h′)

noun

a tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete) of the bignonia family, or its large, gourdlike fruit
1. an Old World tropical vine (Lagenaria siceraria) of the gourd family, or its bottle-shaped, gourdlike fruit
2. a large smoking pipe made from the neck of this gourd
the dried, hollow shell of a gourd or calabash, used as a bowl, cup, etc.
any of various gourds

Origin: Fr calebasse < Sp calabaza; prob. < Ar qárʼa ybisa, dry gourd

See calabash in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An annual vine (Lagenaria siceraria) having white flowers and smooth, large, hard-shelled gourds. Also called bottle gourd, white-flowered gourd.
A tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete) bearing hard-shelled, gourdlike fruits on the trunk and main branches. Also called calabash tree.
Any of certain similar or related plants.
The fruit of any of these plants.
A utensil or container made from the dried, hollowed-out shell of any of these fruits.
A smoking pipe with a curved stem and a large bowl made from the shell of a gourd.

Origin:

Origin: French calebasse, gourd

Origin: , from Spanish calabaza

Origin: , from Catalan carabaça

Origin: , perhaps from Arabic qar‘a yābisa, dried gourd

Origin: : qar‘a, gourd

Origin: + yābisa

Origin: , feminine of yābis, dried, participle of yabisa, to become dry; see ybš in Semitic roots

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