Drupelet Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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drupelet

[ˈdruːplɪt ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

fruit

A small fruit with a single seed and multiple small, juicy, and fleshy segments.

Synonyms

berry, fruit segment, seeded fruit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
drupelet	This term is often used in botanical or scientific contexts when referring to small individual segments that make up an aggregate fruit, such as a blackberry or raspberry. Each drupelet of the raspberry contains a seed. The botanist explained that the fruit was composed of numerous tiny drupelets.
berry	Commonly used in everyday language to refer to small, juicy, and typically edible fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. This term is less technical and is understood by the general public. I love adding fresh berries to my morning yogurt. The children picked berries from the bushes all afternoon.
fruit segment	This phrase is useful when describing different parts of larger fruits that are naturally divided into sections, such as in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. She peeled the orange and separated it into fruit segments. Each fruit segment of the grapefruit was sweet and juicy.
seeded fruit	Use this term to generally describe fruits that contain seeds. It is a broader category and can be applied to many different types of fruits, whether they contain multiple small seeds or one large pit. Watermelon is a seeded fruit that many people enjoy in the summer. The seeded fruit was difficult to eat because there were so many seeds inside.

Examples of usage

The blackberry is composed of numerous drupelets.
Raspberries are made up of many tiny drupelets.
She enjoyed the sweetness of each individual drupelet in the raspberry.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Botanical Classification

Drupes are a type of fruit with a hard stone enclosing a seed, and drupelets are the smaller parts that make up some of these fruits.
Raspberries and blackberries are examples of fruits that contain drupelets, making them a unique type of aggregate fruit.
Each drupelet can be thought of as its own little fruit with its own seed, even though they stick together to form one larger berry.

Culinary Uses

Drupelets are often used in jams, desserts, and sauces for their sweet and tangy flavor.
They are also popular in salads and smoothies, adding vibrant color and texture to dishes.
Chefs appreciate drupelets for their ability to burst with flavor, enhancing the taste of cocktails and gourmet dishes.

Nutritional Value

Fruits with drupelets are typically high in vitamins C and K, contributing to overall health.
They are rich in antioxidants, which are important for fighting off disease and keeping the body healthy.
Many drupelet fruits are low in calories but high in fiber, making them great for snacks without the guilt.

Cultural Significance

In some cultures, berries with drupelets are symbols of abundance and fertility due to their many small fruit parts.
Raspberries have been used in traditional medicine in certain cultures for their health benefits.
Festivals around berry picking celebrate the sweetness and joy of harvesting fruits with drupelets.

Scientific Interest

Researchers study drupelets to understand genetic diversity in plants and improve fruit cultivation techniques.
The development of drupelets is linked to specific genes, offering insights into plant biology and evolution.
Studies have shown that drupelet formation can be affected by factors like temperature and soil quality during growth.

Origin of 'drupelet'

The word 'drupelet' originated from the combination of 'drupe' and the diminutive suffix '-let'. The term 'drupe' refers to a type of fruit that has an outer skin, a fleshy middle layer, and a hard inner shell containing a seed. Drupelets are commonly found in fruits like blackberries and raspberries, where each small, juicy segment is considered a drupelet. The term 'drupelet' is often used in the context of describing the structure of certain fruits and highlighting the individual segments that make up the whole fruit.