Siberian crab
- noun
- UK
:
manzano de los cangrejos siberiano
- The Siberian crab is often grown in gardens for its attractive flowers and colorful fruit.
Examples
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Because of its hardiness, the Siberian crab thrives in cold climates.
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Homemade jelly made from Siberian crab apples has a unique tart flavor.
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The Siberian crab tree produces small, tart apples.
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Have you ever tasted Siberian crab apples?
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The Siberian crab produces small, red apples that are perfect for making jellies and preserves.
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She planted a Siberian crab tree in her garden to enjoy its tart fruit in the autumn.
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The Siberian crab apple is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in cold climates.
Synonyms
A small wild apple tree from Asia grown for its sour fruit and white spring flowers
A small hardy tree that makes sour red apples used for jam
A small tree that makes red sour fruit used for jam
A small red apple that tastes tart and is used to make jam
Surface Forms
Morphology
Siberian + crab
A B1 learner who knows 'Siberian' (from Siberia) and the usual meaning of 'crab' (the animal) will most likely interpret 'Siberian crab' as a crab from Siberia, not as a type of crabapple tree. The horticultural sense (crab = crabapple) is a specialized lexicalization, so the tree/fruit meaning is not transparently derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
Siberian crab is the name for a hardy wild crab apple tree that comes from Siberia. Its small, very tart fruits were often made into jams and jellies, so the name now points to that tiny sour 'apple' rather than a sea 'crab'.
