coco-de-mer

[ koh-koh-duh-mair ]

noun

1. double coconut.

coco de mer

/ də ˈmɛə /

noun

1. a palm tree, Lodoicea maldivica, of the Seychelles, producing a large fruit containing a two-lobed edible nut
2. the nut of this palm

Word History and Origins

Origin of coco-de-mer¹

< French: literally, sea coconut

Word History and Origins

Origin of coco-de-mer¹

French: coconut of the sea

Example Sentences

And this is the largest seed in the entire plant kingdom: It’s the coco-de-mer seed.

From New York Times

Behind him, as he walked through the city gates, an antelope skin and brass-handled crutch under his arm, and a begging-bowl of polished brown coco-de-mer in his hand, barefoot, alone, with eyes cast on the ground—behind him they were firing salutes from the bastions in honor of his happy successor.

From Project Gutenberg

A Seychelles legend says that during a full moon the coco-de-mer trees walk around the forest in order to mate.

From BBC

The erotic connotations of the coco-de-mer are obvious whether or not you are a royal honeymooner.

From BBC

A Seychelles legend says that during a full moon the coco-de-mer trees walk around the forest in order to mate He shows me giant white slugs crawling along the smooth stems of the leaves, fat brown coco-de-mer snails that sit on the tree trunks, and high up in the palm crowns, he spots several bright green geckos that feed off the tree's nectar and flowers.

From BBC