pimento tree
- noun
- /pɪˈmɛntoʊ tri/
:
árbol de pimiento
- Allspice is actually the dried fruit of the pimento tree, not a mixture of spices.
Examples
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Locals in Jamaica harvest the berries of the pimento tree every summer for export.
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The pimento tree thrives in warm, humid climates and is well known for its culinary value.
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The pimento tree grows well in tropical climates.
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Many gardeners prefer the pimento tree for its aromatic leaves.
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The berries from the pimento tree are often used to flavor dishes around the world.
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During the harvest season, the pimento tree is filled with ripe fruit, ready for picking.
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Many chefs value the allspice produced by the pimento tree for its unique flavor in cooking.
Synonyms
A tropical tree that makes small berries with a strong smell used as a spice
An evergreen tree from the Caribbean that makes berries called allspice
A tropical tree whose dried berries people grind and use as a spice
A tropical tree with small white flowers and berries used as the spice allspice
Surface Forms
Morphology
pimento + tree
The compound is a straightforward noun+noun composition: if a learner knows 'pimento' (the spice) and 'tree', they can directly infer it means the tree that produces pimento/allspice. This compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common, though note that 'pimento' is a specialized, low-frequency lexical item that many learners may not know without exposure.
Etymology
Pimento tree literally names a pimento-producing tree from the Caribbean whose dried berries are used as the spice 'allspice'. People noticed the berries smell and taste like a mix of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, so the tree became known as the source of that cooking spice.
