sapodilla

[ sap-uh-dil-uh ]

noun

1. a large evergreen tree, Manilkara zapota, of tropical America, bearing an edible fruit and yielding chicle. Compare sapodilla family.
2. Also called sapodilla plum. the fruit itself.

sapodilla

/ ˌsæpəˈdɪlə /

noun

1. a large tropical American evergreen tree, Achras zapota, the latex of which yields chicle
2. Also calledsapodilla plum the edible brown rough-skinned fruit of this tree, which has a sweet yellowish pulp

Word History and Origins

Origin of sapodilla¹

1690–1700; < Spanish zapotillo, equivalent to zapot ( e ) sapota + -illo diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of sapodilla¹

C17: from Spanish zapotillo, diminutive of zapote sapodilla fruit, from Nahuatl tsapotl

Example Sentences

We sat in the shade of a sapodilla tree, eating our lunch.

From Literature

Atemoya, black sapote and sapodilla, for example, thrive in hot, humid climates and are relatively unknown in this country, outside the areas they are grown.

From Salon

Choose better gum: Chewing gum, once made from chicle derived from sapodilla trees, long ago changed.

From Los Angeles Times

Several more hours in the minivan took us to the Mayan ruins of Palenque, a 7th century former city-state of stone temples surrounded by centuries-old red cedar, sapodilla and mahogany trees.

From Washington Times

Sitting back in the shade of a sapodilla tree, Jorge Zapata González takes a slow drag on his cigarette and tells a cautionary tale of revolution and betrayal.

From The Guardian