n.1 the sweet fruit of various gourds.
2 the gourd producing this (honeydew melon; water melon).
Phrases and idioms:
cut the melon
1. decide a question.
2 share abundant profits among a number of people.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. LL melo -onis abbr. of L melopepo f. Gk melopepon f. melon apple + pepon gourd f. pepon ripe