Chiefly U.S. Also cantalupe, -leup, canteleup, -lope, -loup, -lupe. [a. F. cantaloup, ad. It. Cantalupo, the name of a former country seat of the Pope near Rome, where it is said, on its introduction from Armenia, to have been first cultivated.] A small, round, ribbed variety of musk-melon, of a very delicate flavor.
1839. Penny Cycl., XV. 86/2. Varieties of melons … The Early Cantaloup.
1860. Emerson, Cond. Life, Wealth, Wks. (Bohn), II. 354. The cantaloupes, crooknecks, and cucumbers will send for him.
1863. Life in South, II. 343. A fine cantalupe melon, at five cents, would certainly remain good.
1883. F. M. Crawford, Dr. Claudius, xiv. 247. Behold also, his Grace eateth the cantelope and hath a cheerful countenance.
