Blet

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process by which certain fruits become overly ripe and soft, often leading to fermentation
2. A term used to describe the condition of fruit past its prime, typically involving a change in texture and taste
3. The action of fruits such as medlar reaching a state where they are squishy and edible only after significant ripening

Etymology: The verb "blet" was deliberately coined in 1835 by the English botanist John Lindley, who was writing his "Introduction to Botany" and needed a name for a change he had noticed. After ripeness, most soft fruits either rot or undergo a particular bruised softening, and Lindley admitted he had no English word for it. The French already had a term, "blettir", for this condition, so he borrowed the idea and shaped an English equivalent from it. Lindley's text apologises for the invention, asking to be "forgiven for coining a word". The term was aimed at fruits like medlars, which become edible only once they have softened past the point of firmness. Lindley's printed version actually spelled the French as "blessi", which is a typographical slip for "bletti", and this is the sort of mistake that can happen when a rare word first appears in print.