plum etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The English word "plum" has its origins in the Latin word "prunum", which was used to describe both plums and prunes. "Prunum" is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "prew-", meaning "to swell" or "to ripen".

In various languages, the word "plum" has the following meanings:

  • Latin: prunum
  • Greek: proumnon
  • German: Pflaume
  • French: prune
  • Spanish: ciruela
  • Russian: sliva

Origin

Plums are believed to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains region, where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. From there, they spread to other parts of Europe and Asia, and were eventually introduced to the Americas by European settlers.

Today, plums are grown worldwide in temperate climates. There are over 200 known varieties of plums, with different colors, flavors, and shapes.

plum relate terms

  • prune

    Etymology The word prune comes from Middle English prune which in turn derives from

  • sugar plum

    Etymology Middle English sugre plom Old French sucre plum Latin saccharum sugar

  • sugar

    Etymology The word sugar derives ultimately from the Sanskrit word sharkara meaning

  • plum

    Etymology and Meaning The English word plum has its origins in the Latin word prunum

  • plumb

    Etymology The word plumb has two distinct etymologies Latin From the Latin word pl

  • clean

    Etymology The word clean comes from the Middle English word clene which is derived f

  • plumb

    Etymology The word plumb has two distinct etymologies Latin From the Latin word pl

  • livid

    Etymology The word livid comes from the Latin lividus which means bluish or lead

  • drupe

    Etymology The word drupe comes from the Latin word drupa which means overripe fruit

  • Plymouth

    Etymology The name Plymouth is derived from two Old English words Plim Meaning pl

  • apricot

    Etymology The word apricot comes from the Medieval Latin word abricōctum which its

  • billet

    Etymology The word billet comes from the Middle English word billet which is derive

  • office

    Etymology The word office is derived from the Latin word officium which originally m