Loquat

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈloʊkwɑt/

Definitions

1. A small, round fruit that is typically yellow or orange, known for its sweet and tart taste, and comes from a tree that thrives in warm climates
2. A fruit that grows on a tree favored for ornamental planting, recognized for its unique flavor profile and bright color
3. A small fruit that grows on an evergreen tree, usually yellow or orange and sweet with a tangy taste

Etymology: The loquat tree is native to southeastern China, and its name comes from Cantonese "lou4 gwat1" (written 盧橘 or 卢橘), a phrase meaning something like "black orange." The fruit is not a citrus at all, and it is not dark; the name was applied to it because of its rounded shape and its resemblance to orange-type fruit, while the "black" element is a traditional Chinese term used for the tree's dark, glossy leaves and its close relationship to older Chinese names for related fruit. English took the word directly from Cantonese, a sign of how the tree and its fruit reached European attention through trade with southern China. The fruit itself, pale yellow and sweet-tart inside a thin skin, kept its foreign name, so the English word preserves the Cantonese pronunciation with only a few sounds reshaped to fit English speech.