kumquat

n. [ Chin. kin keu. ] (Bot.) any of several trees or shrubs of the genus Fortunella (formerly Citrus) of the rue family (Rutaceae) (especially Citrus Japonica) growing in China and Japan bearing small orange-colored edible fruits with thick sweet-flavored skin and sour pulp; also, any of the small acid, orange-colored citrus fruits of such plants, used mostly for preserves. [ Also spelled cumquat. ] [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]