Currant
/ˈkʌr.ənt/noun
A small dried grape, especially a dried black Corinth grape, or the berry of a currant shrub.
Did you know?The word originally referred to the dried grapes sold from Corinth, and English speakers later re-spelled it under the influence of the unrelated word “current,” creating a classic etymological mix-up.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Korinthos
“Corinth, the Greek city associated with the grapes”
Medieval Latin
Latin
raisin of Corinth
“Dried grape from Corinth”
Old French
Old French
raisin de Corinthe
“Grape of Corinth”
14th Century
English
currant
“A dried grape, especially one imported from the Greek region”
Modern English
English
currant
“A small dried grape or a berry from a currant shrub”