lycopersicum
The Latin word for tomato is lycopersicum.
The word refers to the fruit of the tomato plant.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
lycopersicum is a neuter singular noun in the nominative case. If you need to say "of the tomato," use the genitive form lycopersici.
Did you know?
- In modern scientific Latin, the tomato is categorized under the genus Solanum, which is the same genus as the deadly nightshade.
- The term lycopersicum was not used by ancient Romans, as the plant is native to the Americas and was unknown to them.
Examples in context
- Lycopersicum olus est, non pomum.The tomato is a vegetable, not a fruit.This sentence illustrates the distinction between a vegetable and a fruit using lycopersicum.Tatoeba #1322068 by alexmarcelo, translation #37442 by CM
Example conversation
Lucius and Lucia are looking at a garden.
- LuciusEcce, lycopersicum magnum!Look, a big tomato!
- LuciaIta est, Luci.It is, Lucius.
- LuciusVisne hoc lycopersicum edere?Do you want to eat this tomato?
- LuciaIta vero, volo.Yes, I do.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
