Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Persimmon \Per*sim"mon\, n. [Virginia Indian.] (Bot.)
   An American tree ({Diospyros Virginiana}) and its fruit,
   found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in
   appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has
   been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and
   nutritious.

   {Japanese persimmon}, {Diospyros Kaki} and its red or yellow
      edible fruit, which outwardly resembles a tomato, but
      contains a few large seeds.

Source : WordNet®

Diospyros virginiana
     n : medium-sized tree of dry woodlands in the southern and
         eastern United States bearing yellow or orange very
         astringent fruit that is edible when fully ripe [syn: {American
         persimmon}, {possumwood}]