pomegranate 
fruit. iippli- (tee pome); granatum, neut.. of ijrn- 
iinlii.-; with many seeds (granatum, > F. grenade 
= Sp. (irHniiiln, pomegranate), < gruimm, seed, 
grain: see grain 1 , grenade, garnctl.'} 1. Thefruit 
of the tree Pitnica Granatum. It la of the size of an 
orange, has six rounded angles, and bears at the summit 
the remains of the calyx-lobes. It has a hard rind filled 
Branch of Pomegranate (/*W'/iV<r C.r.iHatitm} witli Klower,. 
!, the fruit i b, the fruit, transverse section; , flower, lon^itimin.,1 
section, the petals removed. 
with numerous seeds, each inclosed in a layer of pulp f 
reddish color and pleasant subacid taste (the edible part 
of the fruit). It affords a cooling drink, and In Persia 
a wine is derived from it, as in Mexico an ardent spirit. 
The rind contains a large amount of tannin, and has been 
employed in tanning and as an astringent medicine. Tin 1 
pomegranate is outwardly of a beautiful orange color 
shaded with red. 
There were, and that wot I ful wel, 
Of fxniw-ffarne.Uj/8 a ful gret del. 
Rom. of Ihf ItoKf, 1. is/iti. 
They brought of the pomtiiraiiattJt and of the tigs. 
Num. xiii. 23. 
2. The tree, Piinica (Iranatiim. which produces 
the fruit pomegranate. A native of western Asia to 
northwestern India, it is now widely cultivated and nat- 
uralized In subtropical regions. It is a deciduous tree, l.'i 
or 20 feet high, with numerous slender branches, some of 
them armed with thorns, the leaves lance-shaped or ob- 
long. It is a fine ornamental plant, the flowers scarlet, 
large, and sometimes doubled. The latter are used in 
medicine like the fruit-rind, under the name of balurtittex, 
and they also afford a red dye. The bark supplies the 
color of yellow morocco leather, and that of the root is an 
efficient teeniacide, this property residing in an alkaloid, 
pelletierine, contained in it. It also yields punicotannic 
acid and mannit. The pomegranate has been known as a 
fruit-tree from the earliest times; it was common in Italy 
in the third century B. c., was familiar to the Hebrews, and 
its fruit was copied on Egyptian and Assyrian monuments, 
and later on the pillars of Solomon's temple. It thrives in 
the southern United States, and can be grown with mod- 
erate protection even in the climate of New York. 
An orchard of pmnerrrnnatf*. witli pleasant fruits. 
Cant. iv. 13. 
3. In Queensland, a small tree, Capparis nobi- 
lix, with some resemblance to the pomegranate. 
Pomegranate pattern, a pattern ranch used in rich 
stuff s of European make in the fourteenth and fifteenth 
centuries, the chief motive in the design of which is a 
fruit-like figure nippmed to imitate a pomegranate. 
pomegranate-tree(poin'gran-at-tre), . [< ME. 
poiixjariiat-tree.] Same as pomegranate, 2. 
In Aprille and in Man-he in tempnr lamle 
Pmnfiarnatlrte is sette, in hoote and drle. 
Pailadiiu!, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.>, p. 115. 
pomeis, . [OF., < pome, F. pomme, an apple.] 
In her., a roundel vert: so called because con- 
sidered the representation of an apple. 
pomelt, a- An obsolete form of pommel. 
pomeleet, " See pomely. 
pomelo, pummelo (pom'-, jmui'e-lo). . [Also 
pntnelo: see pompehmntn.] A variety of the 
shaddock, smaller than the shaddock proper, 
but much larger than an orange; the grape- 
fruit. Also called forbidden-fruit. Compare 
4613 
pomerla, . Plural of pomeriitm. 
pomeridian (po-ine-rid'i-an), a. [= Pg. pome- 
riaianux, < \*. ponicridianits, postmeridian: nee 
postmeridian.} 1. Postmendian. 
I thank (iod . . . that I can pray to him every Day of 
the Week in a several Language, and upon Sunday in sev- 
en, which in Uraisoiuof my own I punctually perform in 
my private potiifridian devotions. 
Hoirrtf, Letter*. I. vl. .14 
2. In entiiiii., flying in the afternoon, as u lepi- 
dopterous insect. 3. In hot., blossoming, etc., 
in the afternoon. 
Pomeridianat (p6-me-rid-i-a'ua), . pi. [NL. 
(Stephen, 1829), neut. pi. of L. ixjmeridiannr, 
postmeridian: see pomeridian, jtoxtmcridian.] 
In entom., a group of lepidopterous inseets 
which are pomeridian, corresponding to the 
families Hepialidee, Bombycidee, XototloHtidir, 
and ArctiiiliE combined. 
pomerium (po-me'ri-nm), n.\ pi. pomrria (-a). 
[L.,< pout, behind, + nturan, wall.] In /?/. 
nnti(/., an open space prescribed to be left free 
from buildings within and without the walls of 
a town, marked off by stone pillars, and con- 
secrated by a religious ceremony. 
pomeroy (pom'rof), M. [< OF. pouic my, king- 
apple (cf. pomeroyr, apple marmalade): {xmir. 
\Li.poiHiim, apple (see po:ne); roy, < L. mr, king 
(see roy),] The king-apple. 
Haning gathered a handful! of rose*, and plucking ott 
an apple called a Prnne-roif, nee returned. 
Rreton, Strange Fortunes of Two Princes, p. lit. (Darie* ) 
pomeroyalt (pom-roi'al), H. [< OF. pome royal, 
royal apple: pome, < L. ponium, fruit; royal, < 
\j. regalia, royal : see royal. ~\ Same asponteroy. 
pometiet, pomettiet, Obsolete forms of 
ponimt'ttlj, 
pomewatert (pom'wa'ter), . [Also piimicalfi ; 
< ME. pomi-ira ter : < pome + irnter.] A kind of 
apple. 
Kipe as the pnHeimlrr, who now hangeth like a jewel in 
the ear of caelo, the sky, the welkin, the heaven. 
Shal,., L. L. L., iv. 2. 4 
The captain loving you so dearly, ay, like the pnnfwat'f 
of his eye, and you to be so uncomfortable: fie, fle! 
MiddbtanCt), The Puritan, i. 4. 
pomey (po'mi), . [<.T?,pommd,pp.otpommer, 
grow round : see pome, r.] In her,, the figure 
of an apple or a roundel, always of a green 
color. 
pomfret (pom'fret). . [Appar. corrupted from 
theequiv. Pg. pouibonrpaiiijxj.] 1. In the East 
Indies, a fish of the genus Stromateoides, distin- 
guished from the other stromateoids by the re- 
stricted lateral branchial apertures. The white 
pomfret is 5. rintnria, having no distinct free spines be 
Wlmi- i'..iiii'rei IStmiuittfU 
pomelyt, " [ME., also pomelee, < OF. pomele, 
F. pnnimele (= It. pomellato), dappled, < pomme, 
apple: see pome.] Spotted like an apple ; dap- 
ple. 
This reeve sat upon A ful good slot, 
That was al jtomrlg gray and highte Scot 
ClMticrr, Gen. Prol. to C. T., 1. olii. 
Pomeranian (pom-e-ra'nS-an), (i. and . [< Poni- 
eninia (see def.) -P -.] "I. a. Pertaining to 
Pomerania, a former duchy, and now a province 
of northern Prussia. - Pomeranian bream, a fish, 
Abrami* biujgenhayi, supposed to be a hybrid between the 
common bream, A. brama, and the roach, Lntcisc\t nifuiw. 
Pomeranian dog, a variety of dog, about 14 Inches 
high, having a sharp nose, pricked cars, bushy tail curled 
over the back, and a lonii thick silky coat of a white, 
creamy, or black color ; a Spitz dog. 
II. ii. A native or an inhabitant of Pomera- 
fore tlic dorsal and anal tins, and the caudal lotas sub 
equal. It is highly esteemed for it* flesh. The gray 
pomfret is N. cinema, which has free truncated spines 
before the dorsal and anal tins, and the lower caudal lobe 
much longer than the upper ; young specimens are called 
iOlvrr fomfrrt*. 
2. Loosely, any fish of the family Stromateitlsr. 
3. A bramoid fish, Brama rayi, Bay's sea- 
bream or hen-fish. 
pomgarnatt, pomgarnatet, . Middle English 
forms of pomegranate. 
pomicet, Same as pomace. 
pomiferous (po-mif'e-rus), a. [= F. ]Miiif<-r< 
= Sp. pomifero = Pg. It. pomifero : < L. pomiji-r. 
fruit-bearing, < pomum, fruit, + ferre = E. 
ftcni'l .] Pome-bearing : noting all plants which 
produce pomes or any of the larger fruits, as 
cucumbers, pumpkins, etc.. in distinction from 
the bacciferous plants, which yield berries and 
other small fruits. 
pomiform(p6'mi-form), a. [< L. IHHMIIIM. apple. 
+ forma, form.] Having the form of a pome 
or apple. 
Pomino (po-me'uo), >i. [It., < porno, apple: see 
pome .] A red wine of Tuscany, dry and of good 
flavor. It is one of several wines that are sold 
pommetty 
in some countries under the general name of 
I'hianti. 
pommado (po-ma'do), M. [Also pomadu, poiu- 
Hiiiilii ; < F. /linn mini' , a trick in vaulting, < 
/xiniiiii in the sense of pommeau, pommel: see 
pommel.] An exercise of vaulting on a horse 
by laying one hand over the pummel of the 
saddle, and without the aid of stirrups. 
How many great hone he hath rid that morning, or 
how oft he hath done the whole or half the umnmaao In 
a seven-night before. I! Jmuau, Cynthia's Revels, ii. 1 
PonunadO reversa, the act or method of vaulting oil a 
horae by resting thenand on the pommel, 
pommage t, . Same as pontage for pomace. 
pomme-blanche (pom-blohsh'), . [P., white 
apple: see jiome and blank.] See Pnorale.a. 
pomme-de-prairie (pom-de-pra-re'), . [F., 
meadow apple: seejxtme, de-, and prairie.] See 
Piioratea. 
pommee (po-ma'), . [< F. pomme, pornmei; 
pp. of pommer. grow round: xee pome;/.] Same 
as /HIIII nit It;/. 
pommel (pnui'el), . [AlaoviMMMi; early mod. 
E. also pomel; < ME. pomel, ; OF. pomel. jximmel. 
a ball, knob, pommel, F. pommeiiu, pommel, 
dim. of pome, pomme, apple, ball : see pome. ) 
1. A knob or ball, or anything of similar shape. 
Especially (a) The rounded termination of the handle 
or grip of a sword, dagger, martel-de fer, or the like, serv- 
ing to keep the hand from slipping, and for striking a 
heavy blow at an adversary who is too close for the sweep 
of the weapon. The pommel in medieval weapons was 
often highly ornamented, and was a favorite place for the 
armorial bearings of the owner. These bearings, when en- 
graved at the point opposite the junction with the blade, 
were sometimes used in affixing the owner's seal. See cut 
under hill. 
(iawefn lepte to h)in, and smote hym so with tin poinrll 
of his swerde on the temple that he All to the erthe vp- 
rlglit. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), ill. 467. 
Too other to offer his swerd, the ptmifll and the Crosse 
loreward. Boot* o/ Premtenre (E. E. T. S. , extra ser. \ i. Si. 
(fe) The protuberant part of a saddle-bow. 
He came within the target of the gentleman who rode 
against him, and, taking him with incredible force before 
him on the pummel of his saddle, he in that manner rid 
the tournament over. Slrele, Spectator, No. lot). 
(ct) The top (of the headi. 
Ills hors for feere gan '< turnc. . . . 
And . . . plghte him on the pomel of his heed. 
Chaurer, Knight's Tale, I. 1831. 
/) A round knob on the frame of a chair. (<) A ball- 
shaped ornament used as a miial to the conical or dome- 
shaped roof of a tin-ret, pavilion, etc. 
And aboven the chief Tour of the Palays ben 2 rounde 
Poinflfttot flold : and in everyche of hem ben 2Carl>oncles 
grete and large, that sehynen fulle brtghte iinon the nyght. 
Mandenlle, Travels, p. 27S. 
Two wreaths to cover the two pommfls of the chapiters 
which were on the top of the pillar*. 2 ("hron. iv. 12. 
(/) In a ceremonial mace, the lower or butt end ; in the 
case of a crowned mace, the end opposite the crown. 
2. A piece of hard wood, grooved like a crimp- 
ing-board, and attached to the hand by means of 
a strap, used in giving :i granular appearance 
lo leather and in making it supple. 3. The 
!>at used in the game of nur-aiid-spell. 
pommel (pum'el), r. /. ; pret. and pp. pommeled 
or /lommelled, ppr. pommeling or pommelling. 
[Also pummel ; early moil. E. also pomel; < poiu- 
mel, .] To beat as with a pommel or with 
something thick or bulky ; beat, us with the 
fists; bruise. 
Y r duke by pure strength tooke hym aUuit the necke, 
and pmnelril so alioute the lied that the bloud yssued out 
of his nose. Hall, Hen. VIII., an. 8. 
I was pummrlrd to a mummy by the lioys, showed up by 
the ashen, etc. dimener. No. OR. 
pommel6 (pom-e-la'), . [F.: nee politely.] In 
ker., same as pomnietty (a). 
pommeled, pommelled (pum'eld), . [< tx>m- 
mel -f -ed*.] In her., having a rounded knob 
which terminates in a second smaller one: 
differing from bollony in that the lobes are of 
different sizes, the final one being much the 
smaller, 
pommeler (pum'el-er), n. (me who or that 
which pommels, 
pommeliont, The caseabel or knob at the 
rear end of a cannon: the common term in 
early artillery, as of the sixteenth century, 
pommetty (pom'e-ti), a. [Also 
/xtmmi/tii. /nii/iil/ii, i>ometit; 
< F. pommi Hi , iiomntettei; onia- y 
mi'iited with knobs (= It. po- 
metlo). < pomnietle. a knob. dim. 
of pomme, apple, ball : see point . } 
In her. : () Terminating in 
a small roundel or knob: ~;ii.| 
especially of a OMB, 
" ; . (6) Double pommeled 
H> 
CO 
