durian

du·ri·an

noun \ˈdu̇r-ē-ən, -ē-ˌän also ˈdyu̇r-\

Definition of DURIAN

1

: a large oval tasty but foul-smelling fruit with a prickly rind

2

: an East Indian tree (Durio zibethinus) of the silk-cotton family that bears durians

Origin of DURIAN

Malay

First Known Use: 1588

Rhymes with DURIAN

Hurrian

durian

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Tree (Durio zibethinus) of the mallow family (Malvaceae) and its fruit, cultivated in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and southern Thailand. The tree has oblong, tapering leaves and yellowish green flowers and resembles the elm in shape. The spherical fruit has a hard spiny shell and contains five oval compartments, each filled with an edible, cream-coloured, custardlike pulp, in which are embedded one to five chestnut-sized seeds, which are edible if roasted. The ripe fruits are eaten by many animals. Though the durian has a mild, sweet flavour, it also has a pungent foul odour. It is seldom exported.