drupelet

[ droop-lit ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a little drupe, as one of the individual pericarps composing the blackberry.

drupelet

/ ˈdruːplɪt; ˈdruːpəl /

noun

1. a small drupe, usually one of a number forming a compound fruit

Word History and Origins

Origin of drupelet¹

First recorded in 1875–80; drupe + -let

Example Sentences

Each mulberry, raspberry, or blackberry is a drupelet, or cluster of tiny drupes, each of which contains a single seed.

From Salon

You’re supposed to wait for the classic signs of readiness, when the musty crimson drupelets fall willingly into your hand, leaving behind a pale naked stump.

From New York Times

Late season raspberries may develop white drupelets due to sun scald and blueberries may not reach their ideal size because of a lack of water.

From Seattle Times

Pistils several or numerous, becoming drupelets in fruit.

From Project Gutenberg

The stuff also makes quick work of disassembling blackberries into individual drupelets and shattering dollops of oil into tiny shards that thaw in minutes.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• bean
• grain
• kernel