Fig (?), n. [F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr. figa, fr. L. ficus fig
tree, fig. Cf. Fico.] 1. (Bot.) A small fruit tree (Ficus Carica) with
large leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably native
from Syria westward to the Canary Islands.
2. The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong shape, and of
various colors.
The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a stem, and bears
numerous achenia inside the cavity. Many species have little, hard,
inedible figs, and in only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy.
The fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its fresh
state, and also when dried or preserved. See Caprification.