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poire
[< Cdn F poire sauvage, literally, wild pear]
Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1n.
the fruit of any of these plants.
Quotations
1789
There were plenty of berries, which my people called poires; they are of a purple hue, somewhat bigger than a pea, and of a luscious taste.
1830
In the country parts this small fruit is dignified with the name of poire, more from its fine flavor, it is presumed, than from any resemblance to pears.
1843
The poire is mixed up in large quantities with a fine pemmican for the use of the officers and this makes what is called berry pemmican of which I never got any however, as none was made last year; the berry was scarce.
1951
Poire [is] a large purple berry that was the most delicious of all.
2n.
any of several bushes or shrubby trees of the genus Amelanchier.
See: serviceberry(def. 1)
Quotations
1807
Upon the south side of the river, the country is pretty level and covered with fir . . . and bois rouge; there are poire, gooseberry and raspberry bushes. . . .
1852
Amelanchier canadensis . . . is La Poire of the voyageurs...
3n.
the wood of the serviceberry (def. 1).
See: serviceberry(def. 1)
Quotations
1890
The arrow was half the length of the bow, and was made from the Saskatoon, or poire.