n.
Pronunciation: ' früt
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French frut, fruit, from Latin fructus fruit, use, from frui to enjoy, have the use of ― more at BROOK
Date: 12th century
1 a : a product of plant growth (as grain, vegetables, or cotton) <the fruit s 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 fruit s of our labor>
4 usually disparaging : a male homosexual
– fruit · ed \ ' frü-t ə d \ adjective