rambutan

/ræm'bu:tən/

Thân thiện

A child holds a ripe rambutan in their hand.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tropical fruit: A bright red, oval fruit native to Southeast Asia, covered with soft, hair-like spines. The flesh is translucent white, juicy, and sweet-tart in flavor, surrounding a single seed.
   • The tree that bears this fruit: A medium-sized evergreen tree (Nephelium lappaceum) of the soapberry family, cultivated in tropical climates for its fruit.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Fruit):
  • The rambutan is often compared to the lychee, but its exterior is much hairier.
  • She peeled the rambutan to reveal the juicy white flesh inside.
• Noun (Tree):
  • The rambutan in our backyard produces fruit twice a year.
  • They planted several rambutans to start a small orchard.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical or culinary contexts: The term is used precisely to refer to this specific species of fruit and tree, distinguishing it from similar fruits like lychee or longan.
  • The study focused on the genetic diversity of cultivated rambutan.
  • Rambutan is a popular ingredient in fruit salads and desserts across Southeast Asia.

Variants and Related Words

• Rambutan tree: A compound noun specifying the plant itself.
  • The rambutan tree can grow up to 80 feet tall.
• Hairy lychee: An informal descriptive name for the fruit, referencing its spiny skin and similarity to a lychee.

Synonyms

• Hairy lychee (informal descriptive term).
• Nephelium lappaceum (scientific/botanical name).

Related Phrases

• Peel a rambutan: The common action required to eat the fruit, as the spiny skin is not eaten.
  • The trick is to twist the rambutan to peel it easily.
• Rambutan season: Refers to the time of year when this fruit is harvested and widely available.
  • During rambutan season, the local markets are full of them.

Học thuật

Noun

1. pleasantly acid bright red oval Malayan fruit covered with soft spines
2. Malayan tree bearing spiny red fruit

Từ đồng nghĩa

• rambotan
• rambutan tree
• Nephelium lappaceum