Definition of: caprification

(kap′rə·fi·kā′shən) noun
1. The process and effect of exposing the cultivated fig, at the time when the flowers are within the growing fruit, to the attack of a chalcid insect that infests the wild fig, so as to hasten the ripening and improve the quality of the fruit.
2. Artificial fertilization of the fig or date by this method. [<L caprificatio, -onis <caprificare ripen figs <caprificus wild fig]