any of several varieties of apple having a red skin
Word origin
C15: from Old French permain a type of pear, perhaps from Latin Parmēnsis of Parma
pearmain in American English
(ˈpɛrˌmeɪn)
noun
a variety of apple
Word origin
ME parmayn < OFr parmain, assoc. by folk etym. with Parma, Italy, but prob. < OFr parmaindre, to remain (< L permanere: see permanent), from its long-keeping qualities