Grapefruit
/ˈɡreɪp.fruːt/noun
A large citrus fruit with a thick rind and tart, juicy flesh.
Did you know?The word was coined in English in the early 19th century because the fruits grow in grape-like clusters on the tree, not because of any ancient magical root or hidden botanical spell.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*grap-
“No established PIE root for the modern fruit name; the first element comes from English grape.”
Old English
English
grāpe
“A grape, the fruit of the vine.”
14th Century
English
fruit
“The edible product of a plant, especially the seed-bearing part.”
Early 19th Century
English
grapefruit
“A new citrus fruit named for its grape-like clusters on the tree.”
Modern English
English
grapefruit
“The common name for the citrus fruit Citrus × paradisi.”