Citrus
/ˈsɪtrəs/noun
A genus of flowering plants that includes oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, or the fruits themselves.
Did you know?The Latin word citrus originally referred to a different aromatic tree or wood, and its name was later transferred to the fruit family as meanings shifted across centuries.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱeyd-
“to shine, glow, or be bright”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kédros (κέδρος)
“a fragrant tree, often cedar or juniper in ancient usage”
Latin
Latin
citrus
“an aromatic tree or its fragrant wood; later also the citron tree”
Late Latin / Medieval
Latin
citrium
“citron or citron tree, especially the fragrant fruit”
Old French
Old French
citre
“citron”
Modern English
English
citrus
“the citrus plant group and its fruits”