strawberry

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Origin: AS. streáwberige; streáw straw + berie berry; perhaps from the resemblance of the runners of the plant to straws.

Botany A fragrant edible berry, of a delicious taste and commonly of a red color, the fruit of a plant of the genus Fragaria, of which there are many varieties. Also, the plant bearing the fruit. The common American strawberry is Fragaria virginiana; the European, Fragaria vesca. There are also other less common species.

Strawberry bass. Zoology See Calico bass, under Calico. — Strawberry blite. Botany See under Blite. — Strawberry borer Zoology, any one of several species of insects whose larvae burrow in the crown or roots of the strawberry vine. Especially: (a) The root borer (Anarsia lineatella), a very small dark gray moth whose larvae burrow both in the larger roots and crown, often doing great damage. (b) The crown borer (Tyloderma fragariae), a small brown weevil whose larva burrows in the crown and kills the plant. — Strawberry bush Botany, an American shrub (Euonymus Americanus), a kind of spindle tree having crimson pods and the seeds covered with a scarlet aril. — Strawberry crab Zoology, a small European spider crab (Eurynome aspera); — so called because the back is covered with pink tubercles. — Strawberry fish Zoology, the amadavat. — Strawberry geranium Botany, a kind of saxifrage (Saxifraga sarmentosa) having reniform leaves, and producing long runners like those of the strawberry. — Strawberry leaf. (a) The leaf of the strawberry. (b) The symbol of the rank or estate of a duke, because the ducal coronet is twined with strawberry leaves. “The strawberry leaves on her chariot panels are engraved on her ladyship's heart.” William M. Thackeray — Strawberry-leaf roller Zoology, any one of several species of moths whose larvae roll up, and feed upon, the leaves of the strawberry vine; especially, Phoxopteris fragariae, and Eccopsis permundana. — Strawberry moth Zoology, any one of several species of moth whose larvae feed on the strawberry vines; as: (a) The smeared dagger (Apatela oblinita), whose large hairy larva is velvety black with two rows of bright yellow spots on each side. (b) A geometrid (Angerona crocataria) which is yellow with dusky spots on the wings. Called also currant moth. — Strawberry pear Botany, the red ovoid fruit of a West Indian plant of the genus Cereus (Cereus triangularia). It has a sweetish flavor, and is slightly acid, pleasant, and cooling. Also, the plant bearing the fruit. — Strawberry sawfly Zoology, a small black sawfly (Emphytus maculatus) whose larva eats the leaves of the strawberry vine. — Strawberry tomato. Botany See Alkekengi. — Strawberry tree. Botany See Arbutus. — Strawberry vine Botany, the plant which yields the strawberry. — Strawberry worm Zoology, the larva of any moth which feeds on the strawberry vine.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54