Artocarpus is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language, but it is an important word in the world of botany and agriculture. It is a genus of trees and shrubs that are native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The fruit of these trees is often called breadfruit, and it has been an important food source for people in these regions for thousands of years. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of artocarpus, as well as its origin, associations, and synonyms.
Definitions
Artocarpus is a genus of trees and shrubs in the mulberry family, Moraceae. There are about 60 species in the genus, and they are native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The trees can grow up to 20 meters tall, and they produce large, edible fruits that are often called breadfruit. The leaves of the trees are also used for food, as well as for making medicine and clothing.
Origin
The word artocarpus comes from the Greek words arto, meaning bread, and karpos, meaning fruit. The genus was first described by the French botanist Jean Baptiste Lamarck in 1788. The trees are believed to have originated in the region of New Guinea and the surrounding islands, and they have been cultivated in these areas for thousands of years.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of artocarpus is generally consistent across different dictionaries. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a genus of trees and shrubs in the mulberry family, native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, producing large edible fruits.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “a genus of trees and shrubs of the mulberry family that are native to tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands and have large edible fruits.” The Collins English Dictionary defines it as “a genus of trees and shrubs of the mulberry family, native to the Pacific Islands and SE Asia, that produce edible fruits.”
Associations
Artocarpus is associated with tropical regions and the Pacific Islands, where it is an important food source. The fruit of the trees is often called breadfruit, and it is used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, and curries. The leaves of the trees are also used for food, as well as for making medicine and clothing. In some cultures, the trees are considered sacred and are used in religious ceremonies.
Synonyms
There are no commonly used synonyms for artocarpus, as it is a specific genus of trees and shrubs. However, the fruits of the trees are often called breadfruit, and this term is sometimes used interchangeably with artocarpus.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms for artocarpus, as it is a specific genus of trees and shrubs.
The same root words
The root words of artocarpus are arto, meaning bread, and karpos, meaning fruit. These root words are also found in other botanical terms, such as carpology (the study of fruit), carpopedal (relating to the hands and feet), and carpogonium (a reproductive structure in some algae).
Example Sentences
- The artocarpus tree produces large, edible fruits that are a staple food in many tropical regions.
- The leaves of the artocarpus tree are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
- The artocarpus fruit can be cooked in a variety of ways, including roasting, boiling, and frying.
- The artocarpus tree is considered sacred in some cultures and is used in religious ceremonies.
- The artocarpus genus includes about 60 species of trees and shrubs that are native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.