caprification
English
editEtymology
editFrom Latin caprifīcātiōnem, ultimately from Latin caprifīcus (“wild fig tree”).
Noun
editcaprification (usually uncountable, plural caprifications)
- A process for ripening, or pollinating, figs by means of their being punctured artificially, in a manner designed to replicate the way they are pierced by certain insects, which was once thought to aid in their reproduction.
- 1789, Erasmus Darwin, The Loves of the Plants, J. Johnson, page 160:
- I should conjecture […] that the caprification is either an antient process of imaginary use, and blindly followed in some countries, or that it may contribute to ripen the fig by decreasing its vigour […] .