fig

UK: fɪɡ | US: fɪɡ

Definition
  1. n. 1. A soft, sweet fruit with thin skin and many small seeds, typically purple or green when ripe.

  2. n. 2. The tree (Ficus carica) that bears this fruit.

  3. n. 3. (Informal) A trivial or insignificant amount (e.g., "not worth a fig").

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word "fig" traces back to Old French figue, derived from Latin ficus (meaning "fig tree/fruit"). The Latin term likely originated from a pre-Indo-European Mediterranean language, reflecting the fig's ancient cultivation in the region. The word's simplicity and direct adoption into English (by the 13th century) highlight its status as a loanword with no further morphemic breakdown.

Examples
  1. She packed a fresh fig in her lunchbox.

  2. The fig tree in our garden bears fruit twice a year.

  3. He dismissed the criticism as not worth a fig.

  4. Figs are often used in Mediterranean desserts.

  5. The dried figs added a chewy texture to the salad.