caprification

American  

[kap-ruh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌkæp rə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

Horticulture.

1. a method of artificial pollination of fig trees by wasps that prick the buds on branches of the caprifig that have been hung in trees of the edible fig.

---

caprification British  

/ ˌkæprɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a method of pollinating the edible fig by hanging branches of caprifig flowers in edible fig trees. Parasitic wasps in the caprifig flowers transfer pollen to the edible fig flowers

---

Etymology

Origin of caprification

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin caprifīcātiōn-, stem of caprifīcātiō, derivative of caprifīcāre “to fertilize by caprification” (equivalent to capr-, stem of caper “goat” + -i- + fīc-, stem of fīcus “wild fig” + -āre infinitive suffix); caprifig ( def. )

Example Sentences

I cannot learn that caprification is now practised in Italy, but it is still in use in Greece.

From Project Gutenberg

Caprification, kap-ri-fi-kā′shun, n. a method supposed to hasten the ripening of figs, by puncturing.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

Many of the immature receptacles drop off from imperfect fertilization, which circumstance has led, from very ancient times, to the practice of caprification.2 Branches of the wild fig in flower are placed over the cultivated bushes.

From Project Gutenberg

The wounds made in apples by insects occasion those apples to ripen sooner; caprification, or the piercing of figs, in the island of Malta, is said to ripen them sooner; and I am well informed, that when bunches of grapes in this country have acquired their expected size, that if the stalk of each bunch be cut half through, that they will sooner ripen.

From Project Gutenberg

Caprification: is that method or process through which the Smyrna figs are fertilized by Blastophaga throughthe medium of wild, inedible or "caprifigs."

From Project Gutenberg