coquilla nut

[ ko-keel-yuh, -kee-yuh ]

noun

1. the elongated oval fruit or nut of a South American palm, Attalea funifera, having a very hard brown shell used in turnery.

coquilla nut

/ kɒˈkiːljə /

noun

1. the nut of a South American palm tree, Attalea funifera, having a hard brown shell used for carving See also cohune

Word History and Origins

Origin of coquilla nut¹

1850–55; < Portuguese coquilho, diminutive of côco coco

Word History and Origins

Origin of coquilla nut¹

C19: from Portuguese coquilho, diminutive of côco coconut; see coco

Example Sentences

Carved from stag horn, cowry shells, coquilla nuts and Karelian birch, among other materials, they have checkerboards and hunting and village scenes across the lids.

From New York Times