Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Lemon \Lem"on\ (l[e^]m"[u^]n), n. [F. limon, Per. l[imac]m[=u]n;
cf. Ar. laim[=u]n, Sp. limon, It. limone. Cf. {Lime} a
fruit.]
1. (Bot.) An oval or roundish fruit resembling the orange,
and containing a pulp usually intensely acid. It is
produced by a tropical tree of the genus {Citrus}, the
common fruit known in commerce being that of the species
{C. Limonum} or {C. Medica} (var. Limonum). There are many
varieties of the fruit, some of which are sweet.
2. The tree which bears lemons; the lemon tree.
{Lemon grass} (Bot.), a fragrant East Indian grass
({Andropogon Sh[oe]nanthus}, and perhaps other allied
species), which yields the grass oil used in perfumery.
{Lemon sole} (Zo["o]l.), a yellow European sole ({Solea
aurantiaca}).
{Salts of lemon} (Chem.), a white crystalline substance,
inappropriately named, as it consists of an acid potassium
oxalate and contains no citric acid, which is the
characteristic acid of lemon; -- called also {salts of
sorrel}. It is used in removing ink stains. See {Oxalic
acid}, under {Oxalic}. [Colloq.]
Lime \Lime\, n. [F. lime; of Persian origin. See {Lemon}.]
(Bot.)
A fruit allied to the lemon, but much smaller; also, the tree
which bears it. There are two kinds; {Citrus Medica}, var.
acida which is intensely sour, and the sweet lime ({C.
Medica}, var. Limetta) which is only slightly sour.