pignut

[ pig-nuht ]

noun

1. the nut of the brown hickory, Carya glabra, of North America.
2. the tree itself.
3. the tuber of a European plant, Conopodium denudatum.

pignut

/ ˈpɪɡˌnʌt /

noun

1. Also calledhognut
   1. the bitter nut of any of several North American hickory trees, esp Carya glabra ( brown hickory )
   2. any of the trees bearing such a nut
2. another name for earthnut

Word History and Origins

Origin of pignut¹

First recorded in 1600–10; pig ¹ + nut

Example Sentences

Dr. Deb recalled one industrious suitor in the lab who, with no pignut available, gnawed his way through a sheet of tissue paper and stuffed his noggin through the gap.

From New York Times

In summer, neighborhoods flutter with honey locust, silver linden, sugar maple, red oak, white ash and pignut hickory, all ready to ignite in fall with incendiary color.

From Los Angeles Times

But there are 10 trees on the conservancy’s list that will soon be planted on Lookout Hill, including three types of hickories with irresistible names — the pignut hickory, the shagbark hickory and the mockernut hickory.

From New York Times

Plant species Carswell said he’s concerned about include the pignut hickory.

From Washington Times

The pignut deserves the better name, "smooth hickory," a more ingratiating introduction to strangers.

From Project Gutenberg