fruit

 
Pronunciation: /fruːt/

noun

  • 1the sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food: tropical fruits such as mangoes and papaya [mass noun]: eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Botany the seed-bearing structure of a plant, e.g. an acorn.
  • archaic or literary natural produce that can be used for food: we give thanks for the fruits of the earth
  • (the fruits or the fruit) the result or reward of work or activity: the pupils began to appreciate the fruits of their labours
  • archaic offspring: I’ve brought along the fruit of my loins she couldn’t bear not to see the fruit of her womb
  • 2North American informal, derogatory a male homosexual.

verb

[no object]
  • (of a tree or other plant) produce fruit: the trees fruit very early (as noun fruiting) cover strawberries with cloches to encourage early fruiting

Phrases

the fruit of the vine

literary grapes.

in fruit

(of a tree or plant) at the stage of producing fruit: the cranberry is always attractive in fruit

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, from Latin fructus 'enjoyment of produce, harvest', from frui 'enjoy', related to fruges 'fruits of the earth', plural (and most common form) of frux, frug- 'fruit'