Ficus
/ˈfaɪkəs/noun
A genus of plants in the mulberry family, including the common fig and many tropical trees.
Did you know?The Latin word ficus gave English both the botanical name Ficus and the everyday word fig, while the deeper origin of the fruit’s name remains uncertain and may predate Latin.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman Mediterranean
Uncertain
*fik- / *fig-
“A proposed prehistoric Mediterranean source for the word referring to the fig; the ultimate origin is disputed.”
Classical Latin
Latin
ficus
“Fig tree or fig fruit.”
Late Latin
Latin
ficus
“The fig tree; the term was also used in botanical and medical contexts.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
figue
“Fig fruit; descended from Latin ficus through a sound change affecting the initial consonant.”
Middle English
English
fige / fig
“The edible fruit of the fig tree.”
Modern English
English
Ficus
“The scientific genus name for fig trees and their relatives, retained directly from Latin.”