pear
UK[peə]US[per]
n
a sweet, juicy fruit that is narrow at the top and round at the bottom, with pale green or brown skin
Etymology
the word 'pear' has a straightforward journey into english. it originates from the old english term 'pere' or 'peru', which was borrowed from the vulgar latin 'pira', the plural form of 'pirum', meaning the fruit. this latin term is likely a loanword from an unknown mediterranean substrate language, possibly related to greek 'apion'. the word entered english early and has remained phonetically and morphologically stable, referring specifically to the common fruit tree and its produce. its form is considered unsegmentable in modern english, representing a single, indivisible lexical unit.
Analysis
the word 'pear' is a simplex word of old english origin, derived from the latin word 'pira', the plural of 'pirum', meaning "pear (fruit)". it does not contain separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
she packed a ripe pear and some cheese for her lunch.
the bartender garnished the cocktail with a thin slice of pear.
this variety of pear is known for its buttery texture and sweet flavor.