quince Hear it!

quince Definition

quince (kwins)

noun

  1. a golden or greenish-yellow, hard, apple-shaped fruit of a small tree (Cydonia oblonga) of the rose family, used in preserves
  2. the tree

Etymology: ME qwince, orig. pl. of quyn < OFr cooin < VL *cotoneum, for L cydonium < Gr kydōnion (mēlon), Cydonian (apple) < Kydōnia, Cydonia, town on N coast of Crete

quince Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: The quince is now the only member of the genus Cydonia, the three shrubby quinces previously included are now classified in Chaenomeles.
  • cook: Arrange the cooked quinces on the bottom of the cooked pastry tart.

Adjective modifier

  • flowering: This vigorous, flowering quince makes an attractive boundary hedge for a sunny or partly shady site with moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
  • Japanese: Try winter interest Chaenomeles - Ornamental or Japanese quince.

Modifies a noun

  • jelly: Quince jelly can be made with the addition of rosemary or sage to give it punch.
  • paste: On leaving I spotted they sold the quince paste.
  • tree: This is a nice scattered little town, with many gardens, full of peach and quince trees.
  • jam: At Easter, there are marzipan lambs filled with quince jam.
  • pear: TIPS Unlike many fruits, quince pears should be cooked for best eating quality.
  • cheese: An early wasp settled and pumped on the quince cheese.
quince Quotes

They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon.

—Lear, Edward