fruit

¹fruit

noun, often attributive \ˈfrüt\

Definition of FRUIT

1

a : a product of plant growth (as grain, vegetables, or cotton) <the fruits of the field>

b (1) : the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant; especially : one having a sweet pulp associated with the seed <the fruit of the tree> (2) : a succulent plant part (as the petioles of a rhubarb plant) used chiefly in a dessert or sweet course

c : a dish, quantity, or diet of fruits <live on fruit>

d : a product of fertilization in a plant with its modified envelopes or appendages; specifically : the ripened ovary of a seed plant and its contents

e : the flavor or aroma of fresh fruit in mature wine

2

: offspring, progeny

3

a : the state of bearing fruit <a tree in fruit>

b : the effect or consequence of an action or operation : product, result <the fruits of our labor>

4

usually disparaging : a male homosexual

— fruit·ed \ˈfrü-təd\ adjective

Examples of FRUIT

1. apples, oranges, and other fruits
2. <one fruit of your faithfulness in carrying out your duties will be more rewarding responsibilities>

Origin of FRUIT

Middle English, from Anglo-French frut, fruit, from Latin fructus fruit, use, from frui to enjoy, have the use of — more at brook

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to FRUIT

Synonyms

aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, fate, effect, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

Antonyms

antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason

Related Words

ramification; denouement (also dénouement), echo, implication, repercussion; afterclap, afterglow, aftershock; blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect (also side reaction), spin-off

Near Antonyms

consideration, determinant, factor; base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork; impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with FRUIT

boot, bruit, brut, brute, bute, Bute, butte, chute, cloot, coot, cute, flute, glout, glute, hoot, jute, Jute, loot, lute, moot, mute, newt, pood, root, Root, rout, route, scoot, scute, shoot, snoot, soot, suit, suite, toot, tout, ut, Ute

²fruit

verb

Definition of FRUIT

intransitive verb

: to bear fruit

transitive verb

: to cause to bear fruit

Examples of FRUIT

1. When will the trees fruit?

First Known Use of FRUIT

14th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

fruit

noun , often attrib \ˈfrüt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FRUIT

1

: the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant; especially : one having a sweet pulp associated with the seed <the fruit of the tree>

2

: a product of fertilization in a plant with its modified envelopes or appendages; specifically : the ripened ovary of a seed plant and its contents

fruit

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In its strict botanical sense, the fleshy or dry ripened ovary (enlarged portion of the pistil) of a flowering plant, enclosing the seed or seeds. Apricots, bananas, and grapes, as well as bean pods, corn grains, tomatoes, cucumbers, and (in their shells) acorns and almonds, are all technically fruits. Popularly, the term is restricted to the ripened ovaries that are sweet and either succulent or pulpy. The principal botanical purpose of the fruit is to protect and spread the seed. There are two broad categories of fruit: fleshy and dry. Fleshy fruits include berries, such as tomatoes, oranges, and cherries, which consist entirely of succulent tissue; aggregate fruits, including blackberries and strawberries, which form from a single flower with many pistils, each of which develops into fruitlets; and multiple fruits, such as pineapples and mulberries, which develop from the mature ovaries of an entire inflorescence. Dry fruits include the legumes, cereal grains, capsules, and nuts. Fruits are important sources of dietary fiber and vitamins (especially vitamin C). They can be eaten fresh; processed into juices, jams, and jellies; or preserved by dehydration, canning, fermentation, and pickling.