lemon

lemon

lemon [lemon lemons] noun, adjective   [ˈlemən]    [ˈlemən] 

noun

1. countable, uncountable a yellow citrus fruit with a lot of sour juice. Slices of lemon and lemon juice are used in cooking and drinks

• lemon tea

• a gin and tonic with ice and lemon

• Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the fish.

• a lemon tree

2. uncountable lemon juice or a drink made from lemon

see also  bitter lemon

3. (also ˌlemon ˈyellow) uncountable a pale yellow colour

4. countable (informal, especially NAmE) a thing that is useless because it does not work as it should

Syn:  dud

5. countable (BrE) a stupid person

Word Origin:

Middle English: via Old French limon (in modern French denoting a lime) from Arabic līmūn (a collective term for fruits of this kind); compare with lime  (the fruit).

Example Bank:

• Garnish the fish with wedges of lemon.

• Squeeze a quarter of a lemon over the fish.

Syn:  idiot

adjective (also ˌlemon ˈyellow)

pale yellow in colour

Word Origin:

Middle English: via Old French limon (in modern French denoting a lime) from Arabic līmūn (a collective term for fruits of this kind); compare with lime  (the fruit).