Definition of "pomelo"

SHADDOCK, AND POMELO, OR GRAPE-FRUIT. (Citrus aurantium decumana.*) The cultivation of these fruits is extendiug gradually, especially of the pomelo, which is a first-class marketable fruit, very valuable in the spring and early summer.

1888, Bulletin, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Pomology, page 78

Pomelo.* — Much larger than an orange and smaller than a shaddock; a delicious fruit, preferred by many to the orange. Skin smooth, pale yellow; subacid. The membrane dividing the pulp is bitter, and must be removed before eating the pulp. Also called "grape-fruit" from its habit of growing in clusters.

1891, Bulletin No. 1-10, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Pomology, page 79

POMELO (syn. grape fruit).—A variety of shaddock; fruit very large, from two to five pounds each, pale yellow, resembling the citron; skin smooth; pulp sub-acid. / SHADDOCK.—Tree inclined to be dwarf; fruit very large, with smooth skin, pale yellow and very glossy; the rind is very thick and spongy, and very bitter; ornamental only

1891 March, R M Lelong, “From Seed to Grove”, in The Great Southwest, page 3

Pomelo (Citrus decumana) — The commercial term grape fruit is synonymous with pomelo, while shaddock, a term sometimes reserved for these fruits, is more properly applied to a large pyriform or necked variety of the pomelo. This variety sometimes reaches a weight of 15 pounds or more. Within the last few years the smaller pomelo has become very popular in Northern markets and extensive orchards are being rapidly set out in Florida, which is the state of largest production. The pomelo is somewhat larger than the orange and of a pale yellow color.

1904, Earley Vernon Wilcox, Clarence Beaman Smith, Farmer's Cyclopedia of Agriculture, page 241

The pomelo has unfortunately been marketed under the name “grape-fruit,” and it is doubtful whether the correct name, pomelo, will ever displace the trade name.

1911, Good Housekeeping Magazine, page 106