nectarine

Definition

A smooth-skinned variety of peach (Prunus persica var. nectarina) with fuzz-free skin, sweet juicy flesh, and a large central stone. The smooth skin is due to a recessive genetic mutation and makes it distinct from its fuzzy peach cousins.

Example Usage

She grabbed a ripe nectarine from the farmer's market for her lunch.

Origin

From French 'nectarine,' derived from Latin 'nectar' (the drink of the gods), referring to the fruit's delicate sweetness.

Fun Fact

Nectarines can appear spontaneously on peach trees as a mutation, and conversely, fuzz can reappear on nectarine trees, making them genetic twins.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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