durian
UK[ˈdʊəriən]US[ˈdʊriən]
n
A large, oval, tropical fruit with a hard, spiky shell and a strong, distinctive smell, containing soft, creamy flesh.
Etymology
The word 'durian' entered English in the late 16th century from the Malay word 'durian', which itself is derived from 'duri', meaning "thorn" or "spike". This is a direct reference to the fruit's formidable, spiky rind. The Malay term is a straightforward descriptive compound, but in its journey into English, it was adopted as an unanalyzed, singular lexical item for the exotic fruit. Thus, the modern English word retains the original Malay form and its literal, sensory logic, naming the fruit by its most striking physical characteristic.
Analysis
The word 'durian' is a simplex loanword borrowed as a whole unit from Malay.
Examples
The pungent aroma of a ripe durian can be overwhelming to those unfamiliar with it.
We bought a whole durian from the market and shared its custard-like segments.
Some hotels and airlines in Southeast Asia ban durians due to their potent smell.