gooseberry

views updated Jun 11 2018

goose·ber·ry / ˈgoōsˌberē/ • n. (pl. -ies) 1. a round edible yellowish-green or reddish berry with a thin translucent hairy skin. 2. the thorny shrub (Ribes grossularia, family Grossulariaceae) that bears this fruit.

gooseberry

views updated May 29 2018

gooseberry as the first fruit of the summer, gooseberries were often traditionally eaten at Whitsun or at village feasts and celebrations.

Children were traditionally told that babies were found under gooseberry bushes.

In British informal use, someone who plays gooseberry is a third person who stays in the company of two people, especially lovers, who would prefer to be alone; the usage comes from gooseberry-picker, referring to an activity as a pretext for the lovers to be together.

The word is recorded from the mid 16th century; the first element perhaps from goose, or based on Old French groseille, altered because of an unexplained association with the bird.

gooseberry

views updated Jun 08 2018

gooseberry Berry of the shrub, Ribes grossularia. The British National Fruit Collection contains 155 varieties. An 80‐g portion is a rich source of vitamin C; provides 2.4 g of dietary fibre; supplies 12 kcal (50 kJ).

gooseberry

views updated Jun 11 2018

gooseberry XVI. app. f. GOOSE + BERRY.

gooseberry

views updated Jun 08 2018

gooseberry See GROSSULARIACEAE and RIBES.

gooseberry

views updated May 21 2018

gooseberry Hardy, deciduous, spiny shrub and its edible fruit. It is generally green and hairy, and fairly acidic. Family Grossulariaceae; species Ribes grossularia.