Tangerine
/ˌtæn.dʒəˈriːn/noun
A small citrus fruit with loose skin, or the orange-yellow color of its peel.
Did you know?The fruit’s English name ultimately comes from Tangier, Morocco, because the citrus was associated with that export route, not from any ancient magical term.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
English
tangerine
“A citrus fruit; later, a vivid orange-yellow color”
19th Century
English
Tangerine
“Originally an adjective meaning 'of or from Tangier' (the Moroccan port)”
French
French
tangerine
“Pertaining to Tangier; later used for the fruit”
Arabic
Arabic
Tanjah / Ṭanja
“Tangier, the Moroccan city and port”
Latin
Latin
Tingis
“The Roman name for Tangier”