caprification

American  

[kap-ruh-fi-kay-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.

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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

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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); see origin at caprifig ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

caprification

I enquired into the mysteries of caprification, and learned that artificial ripening by means of a drop of oil is practised with some of them, chiefly the santillo, vollombola, pascarello and natalino.

From Old Calabria by Norman Douglas

He does what has been done since Aristotle, Theophrastus and Pliny, all of whom insist on "caprification" as essential to a large crop of figs adapted to drying.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science October, 1877. Vol XX - No. 118 by Various

Some varieties of figs do not need caprification, but they are said to be unsuitable for drying or shipment.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science October, 1877. Vol XX - No. 118 by Various

Thirty or forty years ago I read all that I could find about caprification, and was utterly puzzled.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Sir Francis Darwin

The botanical name ficus has been derived from the Greek verb phuo to generate, and the husbandry of Figs was called by the Latins "caprification."

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by William Thomas Fernie

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