Also α. 4–5 frute, -yn; β. 5 fruct. Pa. pple. 4 y-fruited. [f. prec. sb.]

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  1.  intr. To bear fruit.

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α.  1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XVI. 39. I saue it til I se it … som del y-fruited.

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c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 182/1. Frutyn, or brynge forþe* frute, fructifico.

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1712.  J. Petiver, in Phil. Trans., XXVII. 424. It Fruits yearly in Chelsey Garden.

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1793.  Trans. Soc. Arts (ed. 2), IV. 220. They have fruited, and are now propagated in almost all the West-India islands.

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1854.  J. D. Hooker, Himalayan Journals, II. xxvii. 253. Some fine Orchids were in flower in the gardens, but few of them fruit; some appear to be spread by birds amongst the trees; but the different species of Vanda are increasing so fast, that there seems no doubt that this tribe of air-plants grows freely from seed in a wild state, though we generally fail to rear them thus in England.

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1882.  Mrs. Riddell, Daisies & B., I. 114. The scarlet-runners fruiting and blooming at the same time.

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β.  a. 1500.  The Tale of Colkelbie Sow, iii. 766. How suld a penny fruct contrair nature.

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  fig.  c. 1440.  Jacob’s Well (E.E.T.S.), 259. Mysgouernaunce … frutyth noȝt in goodnesse to þe soule.

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1851.  Beddoes’ Poems, Mem., 113. Interchanging knowledge, as it … fruited daily in every branch of science.

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1883.  Baldw. Brown, Home, iii. 50. We can see the passions and the forces working, which fruit in bane or blessing.

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  2.  trans. (causatively) To make bear fruit; to cultivate to the point of bearing fruit. lit. and fig.

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1640.  J. Dyke, Worthy Commun., 177. He is rooted in Christ, and therefore fruited by Christ.

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1851.  Beck’s Florist, Jan., 8. I have not fruited those sorts [of Strawberries].

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1862.  Thoreau, Excurs., On Wild Apples (1863), 291. Their ‘Favorites’ [apples] … when I have fruited them turn out very tame.

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1882.  W. B. Weeden, Soc. Law Labor, 25. For Capital is Labor fruited, saved and preserved.

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  † 3.  In various obsolete uses: a. To produce as fruit. b. To flavor with fruit-juice. Obs.

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1382.  Wyclif, Ecclus. xxiv. 23. I as a vyne frutede [Vulg. fructificavi] swotnesse of smel.

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1736.  Bailey, Househ. Dict., 359. Fill tin iceing pots with any sorts of cream you please, either plain or sweetened, or you may fruit it.

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