melopepo
The Latin word for watermelon is melopepo.
melopepo is used to refer to the watermelon fruit. You may also encounter the word aquosum, which means watery.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Did you know?
- The Greek root used in melopepo comes from mēlon, a term that in antiquity could mean any large round fruit including pomegranates and gourds.
- The English word 'melon' comes from the same Greek mēlon, by way of Latin melo.
- In some later Latin botanical texts, the term melopepo was used to distinguish the sweeter melons from the bitter gourds used for medicine.
Examples in context
- Citrullum aquosum, plenum aquae, rubicundum, et dulce estThe watermelon is watery, full of water, reddish, and sweet.
- Melopepo est dulcis.The watermelon is sweet.
Example conversation
Julia and Lucius are at a fruit market.
- JuliaVide, Luci! Hic melopepo magnus est.Look, Lucius! This watermelon is huge.
- LuciusIta, Julia. Emamus eum.Yes, Julia. Let's buy it.
- JuliaUbi pones melopeponem?Where will you put the watermelon?
- LuciusIn sacco meo ponam.I will put it in my bag.
