Definition

Noun 1. A tropical tree species: A large evergreen tree (Artocarpus altilis) native to the Pacific Islands, belonging to the mulberry family (Moraceae). It is widely cultivated in tropical regions for its starchy, nutritious fruit. 2. The fruit of this tree: The large, round or oval fruit produced by the Artocarpus altilis tree. The fruit has a green, bumpy skin and a dense, starchy flesh that is a staple food in many cultures. When cooked, its texture is often compared to that of fresh bread or potatoes.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to the tree):
  • The Artocarpus altilis is a crucial component of traditional agroforestry systems in Oceania.
  • They planted an Artocarpus altilis in the center of the village.
• Noun (referring to the fruit):
  • For dinner, we had roasted Artocarpus altilis with coconut cream.
  • The versatility of Artocarpus altilis makes it an excellent food security crop.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Botanical Context: The term is primarily used in scientific, agricultural, or formal descriptive contexts. In everyday language, the fruit is almost universally known by its common names.
• As a Modifier: It can function attributively (like an adjective) to describe other nouns related to the species.
  • Artocarpus altilis cultivation requires a warm, humid climate.
  • Researchers studied the Artocarpus altilis genome.

Variants and Related Words

• Breadfruit: The most common English name for both the tree and the fruit of .
• Ulu: The Hawaiian name for breadfruit.
• ʻUlu: An alternate spelling for the Hawaiian name.
• Artocarpus: The genus name, which includes other species like jackfruit ().

Synonyms

• Breadfruit tree: A direct synonym for the tree.
• Breadfruit: A direct synonym for the fruit and, commonly, the tree itself.

Notes on Meaning

• The term Artocarpus altilis specifically denotes the seeded and seedless varieties of the breadfruit species. It is distinct from its close relative, the breadnut (), which is often used as a rootstock.
• While "breadfruit" is the standard common name, using the scientific binomial Artocarpus altilis ensures precise biological identification, avoiding confusion with similar plants.

Noun

1. native to Pacific islands and having edible fruit with a texture like bread