damson
1 synonym for damson, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small, dark purple plum, or the tree it grows on.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
damascene plum
How to use damson
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
damson jam
damson gin
damson tree
damson plum
The word is everyday and mainly used in cooking and gardening contexts.
Etymology
Damson comes from Middle English forms such as damascene and damasyn, which trace back to Latin prūnum damascēnum, meaning a plum from Damascus. The name reflects the fruit's association with that city.
Full origin of damson →Frequently asked questions
Is a damson just a small plum?
Yes, it is a smaller, tarter type of plum, from a related subspecies of the plum tree.
Can you eat damsons raw?
They can be eaten raw, though their sharp taste means they are more often cooked into jams, pies or sauces.
Why is it called a damson?
The name comes from its old association with the city of Damascus, via Latin and Middle English.
