ETYM Prob. a pl. from Old Eng. quyne, coin, Old Fren. coin, cooin, French coing, from Latin Cydonius a quince tree.
Orange-coloured, pear-shaped fruit.
Small tree Cydonia oblonga, family Rosaceae, native to W Asia. The bitter, yellow, pear-shaped fruit is used in preserves. Flowering quinces, genus Chaenomeles, are cultivated for their flowers.
1. Aromatic acid-tasting pear-shaped fruit used in preserves.
2. Small Asian tree with pinkish flowers and pear-shaped fruit; widely cultivated; SYN. quince bush, Cydonia oblonga.