melon
UK: ˈmɛlən | US: ˈmɛlən
n. a large, juicy fruit with sweet, pulpy flesh and typically a hard rind, such as a watermelon or cantaloupe.
melon = mel<fruit> + on<noun suffix>
- mel<fruit>: Derived from Greek mēlon (apple, fruit), later adopted into Latin as melō (melon).
- on<noun suffix>: A common noun-forming suffix in Old French, used to denote objects or concepts.
Etymology Origin:
The word "melon" traces back to Greek mēlon, which broadly referred to tree fruits (especially apples). Through Latin (melō) and Old French (melon), it narrowed to describe the sweet, fleshy fruit we know today. The suffix -on solidified its noun form in French, later borrowed into English. The evolution reflects a shift from a general term for fruit to a specific category of gourds.
She sliced the ripe melon for a refreshing summer snack.
The market sold honeydew melons at a discount.
He prefers watermelon over other types of melon.
The melon's sweet aroma filled the kitchen.
Farmers grow melons in warm, sunny climates.