Fig
/fɪɡ/noun
A soft, sweet fruit with a thin skin and many seeds.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, figs were considered sacred to the goddess Venus and were often associated with fertility rituals, making them symbols of abundance and love.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰeigʰ-
“To form, shape or mold; relating to the idea of ripening or bringing forth.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σῦκον (sukon)
“The word for fig, symbolizing prosperity and abundance.”
Latin
Latin
ficus
“Referring to the fig tree and its fruit, often linked to fertility rituals.”
Old French
Old French
figue
“The term for fig, used in culinary and literary contexts.”
Middle English
Middle English
figge
“The same as modern English, referring to the sweet fruit, often symbolizing abundance.”
Modern English
English
fig
“The fruit itself, becoming a staple in culinary traditions and symbolic of prosperity.”
Explore more surprising origins