currant

views updated May 29 2018

cur·rant / ˈkərənt/ • n. 1. a small dried fruit, from a seedless variety of grape native to the eastern Mediterranean region, now widely produced in California. 2. a Eurasian shrub (genus Ribes) of the gooseberry family that produces small edible black, red, or white berries. ∎  a berry from such a shrub.

currant

views updated Jun 08 2018

currant dried fruit prepared from a dwarf seedless grape of the Levant; transf. (XVI) to species of Ribes, popularly supposed to be the source of the Levantine currant. orig. (XIV) in pl. phr. raysons of coraunce (see RAISIN) — AN. raisins de corauntz, for OF. raisins de Corinthe grapes of Corinth (their orig. place of export).

currant

views updated May 17 2018

currant Any of several mainly deciduous shrubs and their fruits, rich in vitamin C. Black, red, and white currants are included in the genus Ribes: they are popular plants, cultivated widely. The fruits are used in pies, preserves, and syrups. Family Grossulariaceae.

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