n., pl., -tchis, also -chees, or -chees.
- A Chinese tree (Litchi chinensis) that bears bright red fruits, each of which has a large single seed with a white, fleshy, edible aril.
- The nutlike fruit of this tree. Also called litchi nut.
[Chinese (Mandarin) lì zhī : lì, litchi + zhī, twig.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
