n.
    - the sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food. 
▸Botany  the seed-bearing structure of a plant, e.g. an acorn.
 ▸
archaic or 
literary natural produce that can be used for food:
 the fruits of the earth.
 - the result or reward of work or activity.
 - archaic offspring.
 - N. Amer. informal, derogatory a male homosexual.
 
v.
 produce fruit.
 
  Phrase
  
    - bear fruit
 have good results.  - in fruit
 at the stage of producing fruit. 
   
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr., from L. fructus ‘enjoyment of produce, harvest’, from frui ‘enjoy’, rel. to fruges ‘fruits of the earth’, pl. of frux, frug- ‘fruit’.