n.
(pl. cherries)
- a small, soft round stone fruit that is typically bright or dark red.
- the tree that bears cherries.
[Prunus avium (wild cherry), P. cerasus (sour cherry), and other species and varieties.]
- a bright deep red colour.
-
(one's cherry)
informal one's virginity.
Phrase
- a bite at the cherry
Brit. an attempt or opportunity. - a bowl of cherries
[with neg.]
a very pleasant situation. - the cherry on the cake
a desirable thing providing the finishing touch to something already very good.
Etymology
ME: from Old North. Fr. cherise (taken as pl.), from med. L. ceresia, based on Gk kerasos ‘cherry tree, cherry’.