The Collaborative International Dictionary
Bergamot \Ber"ga*mot\ (b[~e]r"g[.a]*m[o^]t), n. [F. bergamote, fr. It. bergamotta; prob. a corruption of Turk. beg arm[=u]di a lord's pear.]
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(Bot.)
A tree of the Orange family ( Citrus bergamia), having a roundish or pear-shaped fruit, from the rind of which an essential oil of delicious odor is extracted, much prized as a perfume. Also, the fruit.
A variety of mint ( Mentha aquatica, var. glabrata).
The essence or perfume made from the fruit.
A variety of pear.
--Johnson.-
A variety of snuff perfumed with bergamot.
The better hand . . . gives the nose its bergamot.
--Cowper. -
A coarse tapestry, manufactured from flock of cotton or hemp, mixed with ox's or goat's hair; -- said to have been invented at Bergamo, Italy. Encyc. Brit.
Wild bergamot (Bot.), an American herb of the Mint family ( Monarda fistulosa).