melon

(mel′ən)

noun

any of several large, juicy, thick-skinned, many-seeded fruits of certain trailing plants of the gourd family, as the watermelon, muskmelon, and cantaloupe
any of these plants
☆ Slang profits, winnings, political spoils, or the like, for distribution among stockholders, etc.: chiefly in , to distribute such profits, etc.

Origin: OFr < LL melo (gen. melonis), for L melopepo < Gr mēlopepōn, melon < mēlon, apple + pepōn, ripe

See melon in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of several varieties of two related vines (Cucumis melo or Citrullus lanatus) widely cultivated for their edible fruit.
The fruit of any of these plants, having a hard rind and juicy flesh.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin mēlō, mēlōn-

Origin: , short for Latin mēlopepō

Origin: , from Greek mēlopepōn

Origin: : mēlon, apple

Origin: + pepōn, gourd

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