raspberry

[ raz-ber-ee, -buh-ree, rahz- ]

noun

, plural rasp·ber·ries.

1. the fruit of any of several shrubs belonging to the genus Rubus, of the rose family, consisting of small and juicy red, black, or pale yellow drupelets forming a detachable cap about a convex receptacle.
2. any shrub bearing this fruit.
3. a dark reddish-purple color.
4. Informal.
   1. Bronx cheer.
   2. any sign or expression of dislike or derision.

raspberry

/ ˈrɑːzbərɪ; -brɪ /

noun

1. any of the prickly shrubs of the rosaceous genus Rubus , such as R. strigosus of E North America and R. idaeus of Europe, that have pinkish-white flowers and typically red berry-like fruits (drupelets) See also bramble
2. 1. the fruit of any such plant
   2. ( as modifier )

      raspberry jelly

3. black raspberry
   Popular nameblackcap
   1. a related plant, Rubus occidentalis , of E North America, that has black berry-like fruits
   2. the fruit of this plant
4. 1. a dark purplish-red colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a raspberry dress

5. a spluttering noise made with the tongue and lips to express contempt (esp in the phrase blow a raspberry )

Word History and Origins

Origin of raspberry¹

1615–25; earlier rasp(is) raspberry (< ?) + berry; raspberry ( def 4 ) by shortening of raspberry tart, rhyming slang for fart

Word History and Origins

Origin of raspberry¹

C17: from earlier raspis raspberry, of unknown origin + berry : C19 in sense 5, from rhyming slang raspberry tart fart

Example Sentences

Officials also reported more than $6 million in agriculture losses from the fire, which burned through avocado, citrus and raspberry fields, according to Korinne Bell, Ventura County’s agricultural commissioner.

From Los Angeles Times

If I were to be half-honest with you, I’d say that the experience of trying on my grandmother’s Clinique lipstick in Raspberry Glace when I was 4 was memorable for the realization that color was something you could wear and that I had a lifetime of finger-painting my face to look forward to.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve also become the person I imagined when I was 4, Raspberry Glace in hand: someone whose relationship with lip wear is a product of lifestyle, a mature proclivity rather than an amateur desire.

From Los Angeles Times

There were also funny bits about the “extra” in extra virgin olive oil and what happened when he ate a raspberry for the first time at the age of 40.

From Los Angeles Times

Served in a souvenir highball cup, the $23 dollar drink melds Grey Goose vodka with lemonade and a splash of Chambord raspberry liqueur and is garnished with a trio of melon balls meant to resemble tennis balls.

From Salon