Akee
/əˈkiː/noun
A tropical West African fruit tree, or its bright red fruit, scientifically known as Blighia sapida.
Did you know?Akee was introduced to Jamaica from West Africa, and its scientific genus, Blighia, honors Captain William Bligh of Bounty fame.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Akan
akye
“The name for the fruit in Akan languages of West Africa.”
18th Century
English
akee
“An English rendering of the West African fruit name, used in colonial accounts.”
1793
English
akee
“The tree was transported from West Africa to Jamaica, where the fruit became an important food.”
1793
Latin
Blighia sapida
“The species was formally named; Blighia commemorates William Bligh, while sapida means “savory” or “tasty.””
19th Century
Jamaican English
ackee / akee
“The fruit became established in Jamaican English and cuisine, especially as ackee and saltfish.”
Modern English
English
akee
“A standard variant spelling of ackee, referring to the tree or its edible fruit.”
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