Also 7 camquit, 9 kum-, -kat, -quot. [The Cantonese dialectal form of the Chinese name kin kü ‘gold orange.’] A small variety of orange (Citrus Aurantium, var. Japonica), cultivated in China and Japan, having a sweet rind and acid pulp; much used in preserves, etc.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. i. 23. The Oranges are of divers sorts, and two of them more excellent than the rest. One sort is called Cam-chain, the other is call’d Cam-quit.… The Cam-quit is a very small round Fruit.
1836. J. F. Davis, Chinese, II. 345. The Chinese have, besides, several diminutive species of the genus citrus; one of which, called Kum-kat, makes a good sweetmeat when preserved whole.
1882. Garden, 7 Jan., 1/2. The Kumquat, or Japanese dwarf Orange.
1892. Grocer’s Catal. Cumquats (small Oranges in syrup).
