King James Bible Dictionary

A word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into three classes-

1. The fruit of the field, "corn-fruit" (Heb. dagan); all kinds of grain and pulse.

2. The fruit of the vine, "vintage-fruit" (Heb. tirosh); grapes, whether moist or dried.

3. "Orchard-fruits" (Heb. yitshar), as dates, figs, citrons, etc.

Injunctions concerning offerings and tithes were expressed by these Hebrew terms alone (Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 14:23). This word "fruit" is also used of children or offspring (Genesis 30:2; Deuteronomy 7:13; Luke 1:42; Psalms 21:10; 132:11); also of the progeny of beasts (Deuteronomy 28:51; Isaiah 14:29).

It is used metaphorically in a variety of forms (Psalms 104:13; Proverbs 1:31; 11:30; 31:16; Isaiah 3:10; 10:12; Matthew 3:8; 21:41; 26:29; Hebrews 13:15; Romans 7:4, 5; 15:28).

The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23; Ephesians 5:9; James 3:17, 18) are those gracious dispositions and habits which the Spirit produces in those in whom he dwells and works.

FRUIT, noun [Latin fructus. The Latin word is the participle of fruor, contracted from frugor, or frucor, to use, to take the profit of.]

1. In a general sense, whatever the earth produces for the nourishment of animals, or for clothing or profit. Among the fruits of the earth are included not only corn of all kinds, but grass, cotton, flax, grapes and all cultivated plants. In this comprehensive sense, the word is generally used in the plural.

2. In a more limited sense, the produce of a tree or other plant; the last production for the propagation or multiplication of its kind; the seed of plants, or the part that contains the seeds; as wheat, rye, oats, apples, quinces, pears, cherries, acorns, melons, etc.

3. In botany, the seed of a plant, or the seed with the pericarp.

4. Production; that which is produced.

The fruit of the spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth. Ephesians 5:9.

5. The produce of animals; offspring; young; as the fruit of the womb, of the loins, of the body.

6. Effect or consequence.

They shall eat the fruit of their doings. Isaiah 3:10.

7. Advantage; profit; good derived.

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? Romans 6:21.

8. Production, effect or consequence; in an ill sense; as the fruits of sin; the fruits of intemperance.

FRUIT, verb intransitive To produce fruit [Not well authorized.]

Care for
Deuteronomy 20:19-20

FRUITAGE, noun Fruit collectively; various fruits.

FRUITBEARER, noun That which produces fruit.

FRUITBEARING, adjective Producing fruit; having the quality of bearing fruit.

FRUITERER, noun One who deals in fruit; a seller of fruits.

FRUITERY, noun

1. Fruit collectively taken.

2. A fruitloft; a repository for fruit.

FRUITFUL, adjective

1. Very productive; producing fruit in abundance; as fruitful soil; a fruitful tree; a fruitful season.

2. Prolific; bearing children; not barren.

Be fruitful and multiply - Genesis 1:22.

3. Plenteous; abounding in any thing.

4. Productive of any thing; fertile; as fruitful in expedients.

5. Producing in abundance; generating; as fruitful in crimes.

FRUITFULLY, adverb

1. In such a manner as to be prolific.

2. Plenteously; abundantly.

FRUITFULNESS, noun

1. The quality of producing fruit in abundance; productiveness; fertility; as the fruitfulness of land.

2. Fecundity; the quality of being prolific, or producing many young; applied to animals.

3. Productiveness of the intellect; as the fruitfulness of the brain.

4. Exuberant abundance.

FRUIT-GROVE, noun A grove or close plantation of fruit trees.

FRUI'TION, noun [from Latin fruor, to use or enjoy.]

Use accompanied with pleasure, corporeal or intellectual; enjoyment; the pleasure derived from use or possession.

If the affliction is on his body, his appetites are weakened, and capacity of fruition destroyed.

FRUITIVE, adjective Enjoying.

FRUITLESS, adjective

1. Not bearing fruit; barren; destitute of fruit; as a fruitless plant.

2. Productive of no advantage or good effect; vain; idle; useless; unprofitable; as a fruitless attempt; a fruitless controversy.

3. Having no offspring.

FRUITLESSLY, adjective [from fruitless.] Without any valuable effect; idly; vainly; unprofitably.

FRUITLESSNESS, noun The quality of being vain or unprofitable.

FRUIT-LOFT, noun A place for the preservation of fruit.

Natural
Genesis 1:11-12; Genesis 1:27-29

Spiritual
Righteousness, Fruits of; Sin, Fruits of

FRUIT-TIME, noun The time for gathering fruit.

FRUIT-TREE, noun A tree cultivated for its fruit, or a tree whose principal value consists in the fruit it produces, as the cherry tree, apple tree, pear tree. The oak and beech produce valuable fruit, but the fruit is not their principal value.