dogberry

dog·ber·ry  (dôgbr, dg-)

n.

1. A wild gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati) of eastern North America, bearing large, prickly berries.

2. A wild mountain ash (Pyrus decora) of eastern North America.

3. The fruit of either of these plants.

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dogberry¹

n pl -ries

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of certain plants that have berry-like fruits, such as the European dogwood or the bearberry

2. (Cookery) the fruit of any of these plants

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dogberry²

n pl -ries

(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (sometimes capital) a foolish, meddling, and usually old official

[after Dogberry, character in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing (1598)]

dogberryism  n