melmotn.
/ˈmɛlmət/, U.S. /ˈmɛlmət/, Scottish English /ˈmɛlmət/ Scottish regional (north-eastern).
The juniper, Juniperus communis. Frequently attributive, esp. in melmot berry.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > conifers > junipers > [noun]
gorsec1000
savinOE
juniper-treea1382
junipera1400
quickena1400
juniperinec1430
cade1575
jeniver1585
melmot1644
oxycedar1646
red cedar1682
cover-shame1694
Bermuda cedar1700
pencil cedar1785
sharp cedar1840
Rocky Mountain juniper1852
tuckamore1863
tucking-bush1890
1644 in W. Macfarlane Geogr. Coll. Scotl. (1907) II. 557 2 myl thence on the south syd of the moir of Nairn is Tom-aken or Melmet moat. Melmet is juniper.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (at cited word) Melmont berries, juniper berries.
1839 Collectanea Flora Moray 29 Juniperus communis. ‘Aitnach’, ‘Melmot berries’.
1900 R. Thomson Nat. Hist. Highland Parish 28 The common Juniper..produces numerous currant-like cones, locally known as ‘Aitnoch or Melmot Berries’.
1996 T. Darwin Scots Herbal 62 Juniper... Local names: aitnach (Banff, Mor), melmot/melmont berries (Mor).
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1644