Mĕl'on, n.

n. [Fr. & Sp. melon, It. mellone, Pr. melo, Lat. melo, for melopepo, an apple-shaped melon, Gr. μηλοπέπων, from μήλον, apple, and πέπων, Lat. pepo, a species of large melon.] (Bot.) The fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant, which is eaten raw. The plant is also so called. The musk-melon (Cucumis melo) has a small fruit, with a yellow pulp, and an agreeable flavor. The water-melon (Cucumis citrullus) has a large, watery fruit. Both are natives of India.