Med"lar (?), n. [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. n'eflier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. , . Cf. Naseberry.]
A tree of the genus Mespilus (M. Germanica); also, the fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small apple, but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh is hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to decay.
Japan medlar Bot., the loquat. See Loquat. -- Neapolitan medlar Bot., a kind of thorn tree (Crataegus Azarolus); also, its fruit.
© Webster 1913.