The Collaborative International Dictionary
Japan medlar
Medlar \Med"lar\, n. [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. n['e]flier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. ?, ?. Cf. Naseberry.] A tree of the genus Mespilus ( Mespilus Germanica); also, the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to decay.
Japan medlar (Bot.), the loquat. See Loquat.
Neapolitan medlar (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree ( Crat[ae]gus Azarolus); also, its fruit.