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