sapodilla

American  

[sap-uh-dil-uh] / ˌsæp əˈdɪl ə /

noun

1. a large evergreen tree, Manilkara zapota, of tropical America, bearing an edible fruit and yielding chicle.

2. Also called sapodilla plum.  the fruit itself.

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sapodilla British  

/ ˌsæpəˈdɪlə /

noun

1. a large tropical American evergreen tree, Achras zapota, the latex of which yields chicle

2. Also called: sapodilla plum.  the edible brown rough-skinned fruit of this tree, which has a sweet yellowish pulp

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Etymology

Origin of sapodilla

1690–1700; < Spanish zapotillo, equivalent to zapot ( e ) sapota + -illo diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Atemoya, black sapote and sapodilla, for example, thrive in hot, humid climates and are relatively unknown in this country, outside the areas they are grown.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2021

But there are also illustrations of fruits I’ve never heard of: chayote, sweetsop, cherimoya, sapodilla, passiflora and mammee apple.

From Washington Post • Jun. 21, 2021

The entire space has ocean views over the tops of mango, avocado, sapodilla and breadfruit trees, and is open to the decks set among the pools and pond.

From New York Times • Jan. 6, 2016

In Hanoi, the Metropole is a great hotel; make sure to get sapodilla fruits.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2011

First of all, you couldn’t get much sap out of a single sapodilla tree, so we had to crisscross town, scouring streets for dilly trees.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm