Dictionary

carambola en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌkæɹəmˈbəʊlə/
• (US) audio

Etymology

Presumably from Marathi करंबळ (karambaḷ), via Portuguese.

Meanings

1. A tree species native to southern Asia, Averrhoa carambola.
   • The carambola tree bears a sour fruit which makes a good tart, and there is a variety which bears a sweet fruit. The tree, though originally, it is said, from the Moluccas, flourishes well on this Coast, and is quite naturalized. 1851, Francis Mason, Tenasserim: Or Notes on the Fauna, Flora, Minerals, and Nations of British Burmah and Pegu: with Systematic Catalogues of the Known Minerals, Plants, Mammals, Fishes, Mollusks, Sea-nettles, Corals, Sea-urchins, Worms, Insects, Crabs, Reptiles, and Birds; with Vernacular Names, American Mission Press, T.S. Ranney, page 121:
2. The fruit of this tree, commonly known as star fruit.
   • She leans out of sight before coming back with a bowl of something—looks like sliced fresh carambola with salt and chili. 2022, N. K. Jemisin, The World We Make, Orbit, page 124:
3. A yellow colour, like that of a carambola.

Forms

Deriveds

caramboxin

Synonyms

star fruit · Chinese gooseberry

Translations (9)

pl karambola (tree) · vi khế (tree) · uk карамбо́ла (tree) · ta தமரத்தை (tree) · es carambolo (tree) · fi karambola (tree) · pl oskomian pospolity (tree) · gl caramboleira (tree) · ca caramboler (tree)