pear

[pair] /pɛər/
noun
1.
the edible fruit, typically rounded but elongated and growing smaller toward the stem, of a tree, Pyrus communis, of the rose family.
2.
the tree itself.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English pe(e)re, Old English peru < Late Latin pira, feminine singular use of plural of L of pirum (neuter) pear
Related forms
pearlike, adjective
Can be confused
pair, pare, payer, pear.
Examples from the web for pear
  • Figure out where you carry your extra weight if you're pear shaped draw attention to your upper body.
  • Another couple served up sauteed asparagus and pear with gruyere.
  • Prickly pear cactus extract is available at some health-supplement stores.
  • To serve, place each pear standing up in a deep dish or goblet.
  • Mature agaves ocotillo prickly pear cactus and yuccas transplanted from the old yard give the new garden an established look.
  • Do not expect swift, effective action if this really goes pear shaped.
  • Spread the pear slices over the arugula and scatter the cheese, then the walnuts, over the top.
  • No pear can offer the satisfying crunch that an apple can, the wonderful feel of peel against teeth.
  • Using a melon ball scoop, cut away and discard the cores of each pear half.
  • To serve, decorate the top of each pear with a mint leaf and serve with a spoonful of the poaching wine.
British Dictionary definitions for pear

pear

/pɛə/
noun
1.
a widely cultivated rosaceous tree, Pyrus communis, having white flowers and edible fruits
2.
the sweet gritty-textured juicy fruit of this tree, which has a globular base and tapers towards the apex
3.
the wood of this tree, used for making furniture
4.
(informal) go pear-shaped, to go wrong: the plan started to go pear-shaped
Word Origin
Old English pere, ultimately from Latin pirum
Word Origin and History for pear
n.

Old English pere, peru "pear," common West Germanic (cf. Middle Dutch, Middle Low German pere, Old High German pira, bira, Dutch peer), from Vulgar Latin *pera, variant of Latin pira, plural (taken for fem. singular) of pirum "pear," a loan word from an unknown source. It likely shares an origin with Greek apion "pear," apios "pear tree."