Cucurbits

/kjuːˈkɜːrbɪts/ noun

Definition

Plural of cucurbit; plants of the gourd family including cucumbers, melons, squashes, and pumpkins.

Etymology

From Latin cucurbita (gourd) plus the English plural -s. The word became standard botanical terminology for the entire family's members.

Kelly Says

Cucurbits are the third-most important vegetable crop worldwide, yet many people don't realize that zucchini, butternut squash, and honeydew melon are all relatives in the same botanical family.

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