fruit
UK[fruːt]US[fruːt]
n
The part of a plant that contains seeds and is often sweet and edible, such as an apple, banana, or strawberry.
n
The result or reward of work or activity.
Etymology
The English word 'fruit' entered the language in the 12th century from Old French 'fruit', which meant 'produce, profit, fruit'. The Old French term itself evolved from Latin 'fructus', meaning 'enjoyment, proceeds, fruit'. This Latin noun is derived from the verb 'frui', 'to enjoy, have the use of'. The semantic journey is clear: from the abstract concept of 'enjoyment' and 'product' in Latin, the meaning narrowed in French and English to specifically denote the enjoyable, useful product of a plant. The underlying logic connects the idea of a plant's yield to the more general notion of a rewarding product or outcome.
Analysis
The word 'fruit' is a simplex word derived as a whole from Old French.
Examples
The market sells a variety of fresh fruit like mangoes and peaches.
His success is the fruit of many years of hard work and dedication.
After the flowers fade, the tree will begin to bear fruit.