rambutan

[ ram-boot-n ]

noun

1. the bright-red oval fruit of a Malayan, sapindaceous tree, Nephelium lappaceum, covered with soft spines, or hairs, and having a subacid taste.
2. the tree itself.

rambutan

/ ræmˈbuːtən /

noun

1. a sapindaceous tree, Nephelium lappaceum , native to SE Asia, that has bright red edible fruit
2. the fruit of this tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of rambutan¹

1700–10; < Malay, equivalent to rambut hair + -an nominalizing suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of rambutan¹

C18: from Malay, from rambut hair

Example Sentences

Among the fruits which we have tasted for the first time the mangosteen and the rambutan are rivals in popularity.

From Project Gutenberg

The rambutan has not received as much praise as the mangosteen, but I am not sure but that it is superior for continuous use.

From Project Gutenberg

The pulp of the rambutan resembles a pigeon's egg in size and shape and contains a single seed.

From Project Gutenberg

Then there was the rambutan—a globular fruit, an inch and a half in diameter.

From Project Gutenberg