gourd

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a fruit with a hard rind from a trailing or climbing plant of the squash family, often grown for decoration or practical use

   The striped gourd developed a hard shell as it dried in the sun.

2. 2
   noun

   a vine of the squash family that produces hard-rinded fruits

   The gourd climbed the trellis and spread broad leaves over the fence.

3. 3
   noun

   a container, utensil, or ornament made from the dried shell of such a fruit

   The traveler carried drinking water in a hollow gourd.

From Middle English gourde, through Anglo-Norman and Old French from Latin cucurbita, 'gourd.' It is therefore a historical doublet of cucurbit. The dried fruit's hard shell made it useful as a bottle, bowl, or musical resonator, producing the container sense.

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