mulberry

noun

mul·​ber·​ry ˈməl-ˌber-ē 

-b(ə-)rē

1

: any of a genus (Morus of the family Moraceae, the mulberry family) of trees with an edible usually purple multiple fruit that is an aggregate of juicy one-seeded drupes

also : the fruit

2

: a dark purple or purplish black

Examples of mulberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It's made of luxurious mulberry silk, and is truly the standout choice amongst a field of competitors at higher price points. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 6 Dec. 2024

This set with a 100% mulberry silk face mask and pillow, both of which help smooth over fine lines and frizz. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024

The fabric shell on the insert is made from bamboo and the filling is 100% mulberry silk. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2024

This two-piece pajama duo (crafted in mulberry silk) is designed in a sleek swan white hue, ideal for quiet mornings in bed. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mulbere, mulbery, probably dissimilated from Old English *mūrberie, variant of mōrberie (with mūr- as in mūrbēam "mulberry tree"), from mūr- (borrowed from Medieval Latin mūrum, variant of Latin mōrum "black mulberry, blackberry," probably of Mediterranean substratal origin, as also Greek móron "black mulberry, blackberry," Armenian mor "blackberry") + berie berry entry 1

Note: The presumed dissimilated form represented by Middle English mulbere is paralleled by Middle Low German mūlbēre "mulberry" (next to mūrbēre), Old Saxon mūlbōm "mulberry tree" (in a gloss, next to mōrbōm), late Old High German mūlboum, mūlbere (in glosses, next to mūrberi, mōrberi, mūrboum). The assumption has been made that the Middle English word was borrowed from Middle Low German, though it seems more likely that dissimilated forms were passed northward through the West Germanic speech area—or developed independently—as the word diffused along with cultivation of the berry in the Carolingian period; cultivation of mulberries is mentioned in the late-8th-century Capitulare de villis dealing with the upkeep of Charlemagne's estates.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mulberry

• Indian mulberry
• paper mulberry
• red mulberry

Kids Definition

mulberry

noun

mul·​ber·​ry ˈməl-ˌber-ē 

1

: any of a genus of trees that have small edible usually purple fruits and leaves on which silkworms can be fed

also : the fruit of a mulberry

2

: a dark purple or purplish black

Medical Definition

mulberry

noun

mul·​ber·​ry ˈməl-ˌber-ē, -b(ə-)rē 

plural mulberries

: any of a genus (Morus of the family Moraceae, the mulberry family) of trees with an edible usually purple fruit that includes one (M. nigra) with a fruit whose juice is sometimes used for its medicinal properties

also : the fruit