Word Study
apricot
CIDE DICTIONARY
apricot, n. [OE. apricock, abricot, F. abricot, fr. Sp. albaricoque or Pg. albricoque, fr. Ar. albirq, al-burq. Though the E. and F. form abricot is derived from the Arabic through the Spanish, yet the Arabic word itself was formed from the Gr. praiko`kia, pl. (Diosc. c. 100) fr. L. praecoquus, praecox, early ripe. The older E. form apricock was prob. taken direct from Pg. See Precocious, Cook.].
A fruit allied to the plum, of an orange color, oval shape, and delicious taste; also, the tree (Prunus Armeniaca of Linnæus) which bears this fruit. By cultivation it has been introduced throughout the temperate zone. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
apricot, n. & adj.
--n.
1 a a juicy soft fruit, smaller than a peach, of an orange-yellow colour. b the tree, Prunus armeniaca, bearing it.
2 the ripe fruit's orange-yellow colour.
--adj. orange-yellow (apricot dress).
--n.
1 a a juicy soft fruit, smaller than a peach, of an orange-yellow colour. b the tree, Prunus armeniaca, bearing it.
2 the ripe fruit's orange-yellow colour.
--adj. orange-yellow (apricot dress).
Etymology
Port. albricoque or Sp. albaricoque f. Arab. al the + barkuk f. late Gk praikokion f. L praecoquum var. of praecox early-ripe: apri- after L apricus ripe, -cot by assim. to F abricot
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