n. & adj.
n. 1 a a large roundish juicy citrus fruit with a bright reddish-yellow tough rind. b any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus, esp. c. sinensis or c. aurantium, bearing fragrant white flowers and yielding this fruit. 2 a fruit or plant resembling this. 3 a the reddish-yellow colour of an orange. b orange pigment.
adj. orange-coloured; reddish-yellow. orange blossom the flowers of the orange tree, traditionally worn by the bride at a wedding. orange flower water a solution of neroli in water. orange peel 1 the skin of an orange. 2 a rough surface resembling this. orange pekoe tea made from very small leaves. orange squash Brit. a soft drink made from oranges and other ingredients, often sold in concentrated form. orange-stick a thin stick, pointed at one end and usu. of orange wood, for manicuring the fingernails. orange-wood the wood of the orange tree.
[ ME f. OF orenge, ult. f. Arab. naranj f. Pers. narang ]