damson
/ˈdamz(ə)n
/noun
1A small purple-black plum-like fruit: [as modifier]: damson jam...
- European-type plums include the prunes and damsons: ‘Italian’ and ‘Stanley’ are two of the most famous.
- Michaelmas had come, with its fragrant basketfuls of purple damsons, and its paler purple daisies’.
- Dense damson and winter berry fruits make this an ideal food accompaniment.
1.1 [mass noun] A dark purple colour.If it's a winter wedding, could you wear a berry coloured gown, damson or even red?...
- Autumnal shades abound, burnished orange; mauve; burnt umber; ochre; sage green and damson, preferably all in the one outfit.
- Those of you who remember the lime and ginger scheme will be pleased to hear that it has been redone using damson, with gold trimming.
2 (also damson tree) The small deciduous tree which bears damsons, probably derived from the bullace.
- Prunus domestica subsp. insititia (or P. damascena), family Rosaceae.
- Whilst ornamental cherries produce no edible crop, the blossom of apples, pears, plums and damsons is usually followed by fruit worth harvesting.
- Britain took a more prominent role than other European countries in developing the cultivation of improved kinds of damson.
Origin
Late Middle English damascene, from Latin damascenum (prunum) '(plum) of Damascus'. Compare with Damascene and damask.