currant definition - Dictionary

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currant

cur·rant [ kúrrənt, kúr ənt ] (plural cur·rants)

noun

Definition:

1. small dried grape: a small dark dried seedless grape. Use: in cooking. Native to: Mediterranean.

2. small juicy fruit: a small round juicy fruit of a small deciduous bush, especially a red currant or black currant

3. fruit-bearing bush: the bush, cultivated in temperate regions, that produces currants, especially red currants or black currants. Genus Ribes.

[Early 16th century. Shortening of Anglo-Norman raisins de Corauntz, variant of Old French raisins de Corinthe "grapes from Corinth," where they originated]

Word Usage


	currant or current ? Do not confuse currant with current, which has the same pronunciation. The word currant is used only as a noun, denoting a small dried grape, or a fruit or plant such as a black currant or red currant. The word current can be used as a noun, denoting a flow of water, air, or electricity, or as an adjective, meaning "of the present" (as in current affairs).