n.
Variant: or li · tchi also li · chee
Pronunciation: ' l ē -( ˌ )ch ē , ' l ī -
Function: noun
Etymology: Chinese (Beijing) lìzh ī
Date: 1588
1 : the oval fruit of a Chinese tree ( Litchi chinensis ) of the soapberry family having a hard scaly reddish outer covering and sweet whitish edible flesh that surrounds a single large seed ― called also lychee nut
2 : a tree bearing lychees