akebi
akebi Lexical Profile
• noun
A vigorous, woody climbing vine native to East Asia (genus Akebia), noted for its palmately compound leaves and dark purple, chocolate-scented flowers.
"The horticulturist trained the akebi to grow along the pergola, creating a dense canopy of shade for the summer."
The oblong, pod-like fruit of the akebi vine, which features a thick, pale purple rind that naturally splits open when ripe to expose a mildly sweet, gelatinous, and seed-filled pulp.
"During our autumn hike in the mountains of central Japan, our guide showed us how to forage for and eat wild akebi."
• Rhymes for akebi
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese アケビ (akebi), historically referring to the climbing plants of the genus Akebia native to Japan, China, and Korea.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.