1. [n]  an amount of a product
2. [n]  the consequence of some effort or action; "he lived long enough to see the fruit of his policies"
3. [n]  the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
4. [v]  bear fruit, as of trees and plants
5. [v]  cause to bear fruit

1. \Fruit\, n. [OE. fruit, frut, F. fruit, from L. fructus
   enjoyment, product, fruit, from frui, p. p. fructus, to
   enjoy; akin to E. brook, v. t. See {Brook}, v. t., and cf.
   {Fructify}, {Frugal}.]
   1. Whatever is produced for the nourishment or enjoyment of
      man or animals by the processes of vegetable growth, as
      corn, grass, cotton, flax, etc.; -- commonly used in the
      plural.
   
            Six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather
            in the fruits thereof.                --Ex. xxiii.
                                                  10.
   
   2. (Hort.) The pulpy, edible seed vessels of certain plants,
      especially those grown on branches above ground, as
      apples, oranges, grapes, melons, berries, etc. See 3.
   
   3. (Bot.) The ripened ovary of a flowering plant, with its
      contents and whatever parts are consolidated with it.
   
   Note: Fruits are classified as fleshy, drupaceous, and -dry.
         Fleshy fruits include berries, gourds, and melons,
         orangelike fruita and pomes; drupaceous fruits are
         stony within and fleshy without, as peaches, plums, and
         chercies;and dry fruits are further divided into
         achenes, follicles, legumes, capsules, nuts, and
         several other kinds.
   
   4. (Bot.) The spore cases or conceptacles of flowerless
      plants, as of ferns, mosses, algae, etc., with the spores
      contained in them.
   
   6. The produce of animals; offspring; young; as, the fruit of
      the womb, of the loins, of the body.
   
            King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown.
                                                  --Shak.
   
   6. That which is produced; the effect or consequence of any
      action; advantageous or desirable product or result;
      disadvantageous or evil consequence or effect; as, the
      fruits of labor, of self-denial, of intemperance.
   
            The fruit of rashness.                --Shak.
   
            What I obtained was the fruit of no bargain.
                                                  --Burke.
   
            They shall eat the fruit of their doings. --Is. iii
                                                  10.
   
            The fruits of this education became visible.
                                                  --Macaulay.
   
   Note: Fruit is frequently used adjectively, signifying of,
         for, or pertaining to a fruit or fruits; as, fruit bud;
         fruit frame; fruit jar; fruit knife; fruit loft; fruit
         show; fruit stall; fruit tree; etc.
   
   {Fruit bat} (Zo["o]l.), one of the Frugivora; -- called also
      {fruit-eating bat}.
   
   {Fruit bud} (Bot.), a bud that produces fruit; -- in most
      oplants the same as the power bud.
   
   {Fruit dot} (Bot.), a collection of fruit cases, as in ferns.
      See {Sorus}.
   
   {Fruit fly} (Zo["o]l.), a small dipterous insect of the genus
      {Drosophila}, which lives in fruit, in the larval state.
   
   
   {Fruit jar}, a jar for holding preserved fruit, usually made
      of glass or earthenware.
   
   {Fruit pigeon} (Zo["o]l.), one of numerous species of pigeons
      of the family {Carpophagid[ae]}, inhabiting India,
      Australia, and the Pacific Islands. They feed largely upon
      fruit. and are noted for their beautiful colors.
   
   {Fruit sugar} (Chem.), a kind of sugar occurring, naturally
      formed, in many ripe fruits, and in honey; levulose. The
      name is also, though rarely, applied to {invert sugar}, or
      to the natural mixture or dextrose and levulose resembling
      it, and found in fruits and honey.
   
   {Fruit tree} (Hort.), a tree cultivated for its edible fruit.
   
   
   {Fruit worm} (Zo["o]l.), one of numerous species of insect
      larv[ae]: which live in the interior of fruit. They are
      mostly small species of Lepidoptera and Diptera.
   
   {Small fruits} (Hort.), currants, raspberries, strawberries,
      etc.
   
   

2. \Fruit\, v. i.
   To bear fruit. --Chesterfield.
   
   

a word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal. The Hebrews divided the fruits of the land into three classes:,

(1.) The fruit of the field, "corn-fruit" (Heb. dagan); all kinds of grain and pulse.

(2.) The fruit of the vine, "vintage-fruit" (Heb. tirosh); grapes, whether moist or dried.

(3.) "Orchard-fruits" (Heb. yitshar), as dates, figs, citrons, etc.

Injunctions concerning offerings and tithes were expressed by these Hebrew terms alone (Num. 18:12; Deut. 14:23). This word "fruit" is also used of children or offspring (Gen. 30:2; Deut. 7:13; Luke 1:42; Ps. 21:10; 132:11); also of the progeny of beasts (Deut. 28:51; Isa. 14:29).

It is used metaphorically in a variety of forms (Ps. 104:13; Prov. 1:31; 11:30; 31:16; Isa. 3:10; 10:12; Matt. 3:8; 21:41; 26:29; Heb. 13:15; Rom. 7:4, 5; 15:28).

The fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph. 5:9; James 3:17, 18) are those gracious dispositions and habits which the Spirit produces in those in whom he dwells and works.