frangipani
UK[ˌfrændʒɪˈpɑːni]US[ˌfrændʒɪˈpæni]
n
a tropical american shrub or small tree with clusters of fragrant white, pink, or yellow flowers.
n
a perfume originally obtained from the flowers of this plant.
Etymology
the word 'frangipani' originates from the name of a 16th-century italian nobleman, marchese mario frangipani. he was credited with inventing a popular perfume used to scent gloves, which was said to resemble the fragrance of the tropical american flower. the plant was subsequently named after him when european explorers encountered it in the new world. this is a classic example of a loanword where a proper name becomes a common noun, with no internal morphemic structure in english.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from italian, adopted as a single lexical unit. it is not productively formed from smaller, recognizable english morphemes.
Examples
the sweet scent of frangipani filled the evening air.
she wore a garland of white frangipani in her hair.
the perfume was based on the classic frangipani note.