durian
/ˈdʊərɪən
/noun
1A spiny oval tropical fruit containing a creamy pulp. Despite its fetid smell it is highly valued for its flavour.Westerners find the smell of durians too strong....
- For instance, the smell of durians is fragrant for people in some cultures but repellant for those in others.
- He fumbles the last fruit - the durian - and it slips from his hands and splatters at Colin's feet.
2 (also durian tree) The large tree that bears the durian, native to Malaysia.
- Durio zibethinus, family Bombaceae.
- ‘But now I can grow trees like banana, durian, avocado and jackfruit to fulfill my own needs and patchouli that can be sold to businessmen for the cosmetics industry,’ he added.
- Kebayoran Baru was just a large plantation mostly with rambutan and durian trees, just like other suburbs here.
Origin
Late 16th century: from Malay durian, from duri 'thorn'.