[f. CORNEL3: cf. prec.]
† 1. The fruit of the CORNEL-TREE, Cornus mascula; also the tree itself. Obs. exc. as in 2.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Gardens (Arb.), 557. In September come Nectarines; Cornelians.
1658. Evelyn, Fr. Gard. (1675), 288. I have invented the pickling of cornelians, and have frequently made them passe for olives of France. Ibid. (1664), Kal. Hort. (1729), 234. Catalogue of excellent Fruit-Trees. Cornelions. White, Red, &c.
2. Cornelian cherry [cf. Ger. kornelius kirsche], = 1; † cornelian tree, cornel-tree.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 485. Take a Service-tree or a Cornelian-tree.
1762. B. Stillingfl., Misc. Tracts, 142. With the first soft breeze, says Pliny, the cornelian cherry puts forth its buds.
1796. C. Marshall, Garden., xvii. (1813), 281. Cornel; i. e. Cornelian cherry. The fruit used to be by many preserved to make tarts.