ˈtʃerɪ n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a
small soft round stone-fruit. b
any of
several trees of
the genus Prunus
bearing this or
grown for its ornamental flowers. 2 (in full cherry wood) the
wood of a cherry. 3 US sl. a
virginity. b a
virgin. --adj. of a
light red colour. øcherry
brandy a dark-red
liqueur of brandy in
which cherries
have been steeped. cherry-laurel
Brit. a small
evergreen tree, Prunus laurocerasus,
with white flowers
and cherry-like fruits. cherry-picker colloq. a
crane for raising and lowering
people. cherry-pie 1 a pie
made with cherries. 2 a
garden heliotrope. cherry
plum 1 a tree, Prunus cerasifera,
native to SW Asia, with
solitary white flowers and red fruits. 2 the
fruit of this tree. cherry
tomato a
miniature tomato with a
strong flavour. [ME f. ONF cherise (taken as
pl.:
cf. PEA) f. med.L ceresia perh. f. L f. Gk kerasos]