A′PRICOT

Syn. A′pricock †; Armeni′acum ma′lum , Præco′tium , L.; Abricot , Fr.; Aprikose , Ger. The fruit of arm eniac a vulgar is (Lamb.; prunus arm eniac a , Linn.), a rosaceous tree indigenous in Armenia, Cachmere, ., and now cultivated in every temperate region of the world. Under the name of præcox it was known in Italy in the time of Dioscorides; but it was not introduced into England until the reign of Henry VIII ( A.D. 1540). Its cultivation has since been zealously attended to by our gardeners, and it is now one of the choicest and most esteemed of our wall-fruits, and is particularly valued for de erts. It is reputed to be nutritious, easy of digestion, laxative, and stomachic. The seeds are bitter and saponaceous. Apricots are principally eaten as gathered; but are also dried, candied, and made into jam. In confectionery , the Bru els and Breda varieties are preferred to the larger and sweeter kinds. See Fruit , Preserves , .