Apricot is a fruit that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is a small, orange or yellow fruit with a soft, juicy flesh and a hard, stone-like pit in the center. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of apricot, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Apricot is defined as a fruit that is similar in appearance to a peach, but smaller and with a smooth skin. It is also the name of the tree that produces this fruit. In some contexts, apricot can also refer to a light orange color.
Origin
The apricot tree is believed to have originated in China, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. From there, it spread to other parts of Asia, the Middle East, and eventually Europe. Today, apricots are grown in many parts of the world, including the United States, Turkey, and South Africa.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, apricot is “the oval orange-colored fruit of a small tree (Prunus armeniaca) of the rose family that is cultivated for its fruit which is eaten fresh, dried, or canned and is used in preserves, confections, and baked goods.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines apricot as “a small, orange-yellow fruit with a velvety skin, native to China and Central Asia and widely cultivated in temperate regions.”
Associations
In many cultures, apricots are associated with good luck, prosperity, and longevity. They are also a symbol of love and romance in some traditions. In Chinese culture, apricots are believed to have healing properties and are often used in traditional medicine.
Synonyms
Synonyms for apricot include peach, nectarine, plum, and cherry.
Antonyms
Antonyms for apricot include sour, bitter, and unripe.
The same root words
The word apricot comes from the Latin word “praecoquum,” which means “early ripening fruit.” The same root words can be found in other languages, such as the French word “abricot” and the Spanish word “albaricoque.”
Example Sentences
- I love to eat fresh apricots in the summertime.
- The apricot tree in our backyard produces the sweetest fruit.
- She wore a dress in a lovely shade of apricot.
- The recipe calls for dried apricots to be added to the cake batter.
- The painting featured a bowl of ripe apricots on a table.