gallnut

[ gawl-nuht ]

noun

1. a nutlike gall on plants.

gallnut

/ ˈɡɔːlˌnʌt /

noun

1. a type of plant gall that resembles a nut

Word History and Origins

Origin of gallnut¹

First recorded in 1565–75; gall ³ + nut

Example Sentences

He created an invisible ink that was undetectable even when heat was applied, said Mr. Rose, who deduced it was a mix composed, in part, of a Chinese gallnut used as an anti-diarrhea medication at the time.

From New York Times

The silkworm and the bee need no apologist; a gallnut produced by the puncture of an insect on a Syrian oak is a necessary ingredient in the ink I am writing with, and from my windows I recognize the grain of the kermes and the cochineal in the gay habiliments of the holiday groups beneath them.

From Project Gutenberg

The silkworm, the lac insect, and the bee need no apologist; a gallnut produced by the puncture of a cynips on a Syrian oak is a necessary ingredient in the ink I am writing with, and from my windows I recognize the grain of the kermes and the cochineal in the gay habiliments of the holiday groups beneath them.

From Project Gutenberg