■ noun ( plural cherries )
1》 a small, soft round stone fruit that is typically bright or dark red.
2》 the tree that bears cherries. [ Prunus avium ( wild ~ ), P. cerasus ( sour ~ ), and other species and varieties.]
3》 a bright deep red colour.
4》 ( one's ~ ) informal one's virginity.
Phrases
a bite at the ~ Brit. an attempt or opportunity.
a bowl of cherries [with negative ] a very pleasant situation.
the ~ on the cake a desirable thing providing the finishing touch to something already very good.
Origin
ME: from Old North. Fr. cherise (taken as plural), from med. L. ceresia , based on Gk kerasos '~ tree, ~'.