a. and sb. A variety of the peach in which the flesh of the ripe fruit clings to the stone.
1840. Penny Cycl., XVII. 345/2. The firm-fleshed or clingstone peaches … are preferred in America. Ibid., 347/1. Clingstones … Melters.
1866. Treas. Bot., 55/1. Three principal varieties of the Peach exist—clingstones, melters or freestones, and nectarines.
1880. Sat. Rev., 612. The division of peaches and nectarines into freestones and clingstones.
