longan
longan Lexical Profile
longan Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The small, sweet, and edible fruit of a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, characterized by a thin, brittle brown shell, translucent white flesh, and a large, dark seed.
"For dessert, the restaurant served a refreshing bowl of chilled longans and lychees in a light sweet syrup."
The tropical and subtropical evergreen tree (Dimocarpus longan) of the soapberry family, native to South and Southeast Asia, widely cultivated for its sweet, edible fruit.
"The farmers planted several new longans in the orchard, hoping the region's subtropical climate would yield an abundant autumn harvest."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into English in the late 18th century from Cantonese 'lùhng-ngáahn' (literally 'dragon eye'), so named because the shelled fruit, with its translucent whitish flesh surrounding a dark seed, strongly resembles an eyeball.