I. ˈȯrə̇nj, ˈär-, -rēnj, in rapid speech especially in pl or in compounds -rnj noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English orenge, orange, from Middle French, from Old Provençal auranja, from Arabic nāranj, from Persian nārang, from Sanskrit nāraṅga, of Dravidian origin; akin to Tamil naru fragrant
1.
a. : any of various globose to subglobose tropical or subtropical fruits that are technically berries with a reddish yellow leathery aromatic rind containing many oil glands and used extensively in confectionery, preserves, and cookery and with a usually sweet but acid juicy edible pulp rich in minerals and vitamin C — see mandarin orange , navel orange , sour orange , sweet orange
b. : any of various rather small evergreen and often spiny trees of the genus Citrus (as C. aurantium, C. sinensis, or C. reticulata ) that have pointed ovate unifoliate leaves, hard yellow wood, and usually fragrant white flowers and that produce fruits which are oranges — see trifoliate orange
2.
a. : the evergreen orange tree usually not over 30 feet in height with oval unifoliolate leaves, hard yellow wood, and a fragrant white blossom
b. : any of several trees or fruits resembling the orange
3.
[ orange (II) ]
a. : any of a group of colors about midway between red and yellow in hue, of medium lightness, and of moderate to high saturation
b. : a hue midway between red and yellow that is evoked in the normal observer under normal conditions by radiant energy of the wavelength 610 millimicrons
c. : a pigment or dye producing an orange color — see dye table I (under Acid Orange ), orange G , orange II
4. : a roundel tenné
II. adjective
1. : of or relating to an orange
2. : being of the color orange
an orange ribbon
III. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: from Orange, princely family of Europe to which belong William III of England and the present reigning family of the Netherlands
1. : of or relating to the Orange family or house in the Netherlands
2. : of or relating to the Orangemen : being or relating to those belonging to or in sympathy with them