apricot blossom

apricot blossom (plural apricot blossoms)

1. The flower of an apricot tree that will eventually turn into an apricot.
   • 1833, Luke Howard, The Climate of London, Deduced from Meteorological Observations, Made in the Metropolis, and at Various Places Around It, volume 2, Harvey, Darton, Arch, Longman, Hatchard, Highley, and Hunter, page 8:

     The occasional early opening of the apricot blossom need not surprise us, if we consider this degree of heat upon the wall.

   • 1889, Mabel Collins, The Blossom and the Fruit, A True Story of a Black Magician, John W. Lovell, page 10:

     The apricot blossom has fallen and fruit has followed it; the leaves have fallen and the trees are bare.

   • 1903, Marco Polo, The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East, Scribner, pages 196–197:

     At the counter were sold “Precious Thunder Tea,” Tea of fritters and onions, or else Pickle broth; and in hot weather wine of snow bubbles and apricot blossom, or other kinds of refrigerating liquor.

   • 1951, Wai Wen Ch'u Pan She, Chinese Literature:

     Everyone, professor or cadre, would smile at us as if we were the apricot blossom and spring themselves.

• apricot blossom in the snow