kumquat
UK[ˈkʌmkwɒt]US[ˈkʌmkwɑːt]
n
a small, oval, orange-like fruit with a sweet rind and sour pulp, used in preserves and as a garnish.
n
the evergreen shrub or small tree of the citrus family that bears this fruit.
Etymology
the word 'kumquat' entered english in the 17th century from cantonese, specifically the term 'gam1 gwat1' (金橘), which literally means 'golden orange' or 'golden tangerine'. it is a loanword that underwent phonetic adaptation to fit english pronunciation patterns, resulting in the modern spelling. the fruit itself is native to southeast asia and was introduced to europe and the americas, where its name was borrowed along with the plant. as a simplex loanword, its meaning is carried wholly by the adopted term, not by any combinatory morphemes within english.
Analysis
this word is a direct loanword from cantonese. it is not productively formed from english or classical morphemes and therefore cannot be meaningfully segmented within the english spelling system.
Examples
the marmalade was made from a blend of oranges and kumquats.
she garnished the cocktail with a thinly sliced kumquat.
the dwarf kumquat tree in a pot can bear fruit indoors.