citrusn.

Etymology: < classical Latin citrus, denoting an African tree, probably Tetraclinis articulata, in post-classical Latin also denoting the citron tree, Citrus medica (5th cent.), further etymology uncertain and disputed: probably either < ancient Greek κέδρος (see cedar n.), perhaps via an Etruscan form, or borrowed, together with the Greek word, from another (unidentified) language. Compare classical Latin citrea citron tree. Compare also Hellenistic Greek κιτρέα , κίτριον citron tree, κίτρον citron fruit, which probably show loans from Latin. In sense 1a after post-classical Latin citrum citron fruit (see citron n.).Classical Latin citrus denoted an African tree (probably Tetraclinis articulata), of which the scented wood was highly prized by the Romans for making furniture (compare sense 2). The same word later came to be used to denote a fruit tree originally of Asian origin (Theophrastus describes the citron as growing in Media, and this geographical origin is reflected in Hellenistic Greek μῆλον μηδικόν , lit. ‘Median apple’, as well as in the scientific Latin specific epithet medica Medic adj.²). The transfer in meaning was perhaps on account of use of the fruit to deter moths, for which scented wood was also used. The Latin noun was also borrowed into other European languages. Compare Spanish cidro (1410 denoting the citron fruit, 1490 denoting the citron tree), Italian cedro (first half of the 13th cent. denoting the citron fruit, 1353 denoting the citron tree), and also Old French, Middle French, French citre (see citron n.), Portuguese cidra citron fruit (1331). In α. forms after the classical Latin genitive singular. With the β. forms perhaps compare -ous suffix.