citrus
UK[ˈsɪtrəs]US[ˈsɪtrəs]
n
a type of tree or shrub that produces fruit with a thick skin and juicy flesh divided into segments, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
n
the fruit produced by such a tree.
Etymology
the word 'citrus' entered english directly from latin, where it referred to the citron tree, a specific type of fragrant, thorny tree. the latin term itself is believed to be borrowed from ancient greek 'kedros' (κέδρος), which originally denoted the cedar tree, a source of fragrant wood and oil. this semantic shift from 'cedar' to 'citron' likely occurred because both trees were valued for their strong, pleasant aromas. over time, the term's application broadened in modern botanical classification to encompass the entire genus of related fruit-bearing trees, including oranges, lemons, and limes.
Analysis
the word 'citrus' is a simplex loanword from latin. it does not contain separable morphemes in its modern english spelling.
Examples
the recipe calls for the zest and juice of one citrus, such as a lemon or lime.
florida and california are major producers of citrus in the united states.
citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin c.