Chinese gooseberry

plural Chinese gooseberries

1. The fruit of the carambola tree, Averrhoa carambola.First known use 19th c.

   The Chinese gooseberry, (which fruit here grows on a tree, instead of a shrub).

   1837, The New-York Mirror, Volume 15, George P. Morris, page 221

   2 more examples

   The Chinese gooseberry is over three inches long, and, when cut through, its section forms a perfect star.

   1859, All the Year Round: A Weekly Journal, Volume 1, Charles Dickens, page 17

   The Carambola, also called Chinese Gooseberry or star fruit, is one of the most exotically-shaped fruits.

   1986, The Courier, Volumes 89-100, Commission of the European Communities, page 60

   Synonyms: carambola, star fruit

2. Kiwifruit, the edible berry of certain vines of the genus Actinidia, especially Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidia chinensis.First known use 20th c.

   Pavlova, that well intentioned Australian dessert (named after a Russian ballerina), all set about with passion-fruit pips and Chinese gooseberries (oh, all right, Kiwi fruit), can be a sumptuous affair if it is made with care and consideration.

   1996 June 8, Simon Hopkinson, “Food: As light as a cloud”, in The Independent, London: Independent News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 20 May 2011

3. The plant of the genus Actinidia that bears this fruit.First known use 20th c.