Dictionary

gean en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ɡiːn/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle French guine (modern French guigne).

Meanings

1. (dialectal) A wild cherry tree, Prunus avium, native to Europe and western Asia or its small, dark fruit.
   • Thus in the early year the blue pearl clusters of the grape hyacinth bloomed, and in autumn the geans rejoiced us with the red Chinese lantern gleam of their fruit. 1947 [1939], Ernst Jünger, translated by Stuart Hood, On the Marble Cliffs, New Directions, translation of Auf den Marmorklippen (in German), →LCCN, →OCLC, page 12:
   • ‘Given the circumstances, Effie,’ he whispered, ‘I could blossom again like a gean-tree.’ 1955, Robin Jenkins, The Cone-Gatherers, Canongate, published 2012, page 45:

Forms