Fructure

/ˈfrʌktʃər/ noun

Definition

A break or fracture; a breaking or bursting open, sometimes used metaphorically for breaking forth into fruit or results.

Etymology

From Latin fractura (a breaking), from frangere (to break). Though etymologically unrelated to fructus (fruit), fructure was sometimes confused with or played upon for its similar sound.

Kelly Says

Fructure is a linguistic accident waiting to happen—it looks like it should mean 'fruiting' because it sounds like 'fructify,' but it actually means 'breaking.' Medieval scribes sometimes mixed them up, creating amusing confusions in agricultural texts where orchards are 'fructuring' instead of 'fructifying.'

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