Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tropical fruit native to Asia: "dragon's eye" refers specifically to the fruit of the tree Dimocarpus longan, which is similar in appearance and taste to the lychee but typically smaller and with a smoother, brownish shell. The name comes from the fruit's appearance when peeled, revealing a translucent white pulp surrounding a dark seed, resembling an eye.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The market was selling fresh dragon's eye from Thailand.
  • After peeling the dragon's eye, you can see the shiny black seed inside the juicy flesh.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical context: The term is often used in botanical or horticultural discussions to distinguish from the closely related lychee ().
  • The dragon's eye tree is slightly more cold-tolerant than the lychee tree.

Variants and Related Words

• Longan (n): This is the more common English name for the same fruit.
  • Longan is often used in desserts and sweet soups.
• Lychee (n): A similar, closely related fruit, often compared to the dragon's eye.
  • Lychee has a rougher, redder rind compared to the dragon's eye.

Synonyms

• Longan: The direct synonym for "dragon's eye."
• Euphoria longana: An older botanical synonym for the species.

Related Phrases

• Dragon's eye fruit: A fuller, more descriptive phrase with the same meaning.
  • Dragon's eye fruit is rich in vitamin C.

Related Idioms

(This specific term, as a noun for a fruit, is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions in English.)

Noun

1. Asian fruit similar to litchi