jackfruit
UK[ˈdʒækfruːt]US[ˈdʒækˌfruːt]
n
a very large tropical fruit with a thick, spiky rind, edible yellow flesh, and large seeds.
n
the tree that bears this fruit.
Morpheme Breakdown
jack
fruit
jack
fruit
Etymology
the word "jackfruit" is a compound formed in english during the 16th century. the first element, "jack," derives from the portuguese "jaca," which was borrowed from the malayalam "chakka," a term for the fruit with probable dravidian roots. the second element is the english word "fruit," from latin "fructus" meaning "enjoyment, produce." the name thus literally means "the fruit called jack," a pattern common in european languages for naming exotic flora, where a local name is combined with a familiar generic term. this process allowed the unfamiliar tropical fruit to be categorized within the known european botanical lexicon.
Analysis
Structure: jack + fruit
"jack" (origin: portuguese 'jaca', from malayalam 'chakka', likely of dravidian origin; functional role: specific name element). "fruit" (origin: old french, from latin 'fructus'; functional role: general category noun).
Examples
the sweet, pungent aroma of ripe jackfruit filled the market stall.
jackfruit trees can grow to an impressive height and bear numerous large fruits.
as a meat substitute, young jackfruit has a remarkably fibrous texture.