tuckahoe

[ tuhk-uh-hoh ]

noun

1. Also called Indian bread. the edible, underground sclerotium of the fungus Poria cocos, found on the roots of trees in the southern United States.
2. arrow arum.
3. (usually initial capital letter) a Virginian, especially one inhabiting the lowland east of the Blue Ridge.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuckahoe¹

First recorded in 1605–15, Americanism; earlier applied to various roots and underground fungi, from Virginia Algonquian ( English spelling) tockwhogh, tockawhoughe, taccaho “arrow arum root” (used for bread), derivative of Proto-Algonquian takwah- “to pound (it) fine, reduce (it) to flour” (unattested); compare Shawnee takhwa “bread”

Example Sentences

"I spent a few days at Colonel Randolph's, at Tuckahoe, at whose house the usual hospitality of the country prevailed," he wrote.

From Project Gutenberg

The only massacre in Tuckahoe ever committed by the savages took place in the summer of 1778.

From Project Gutenberg

Tuckahoe, a flag-like swamp plant, with an enormous root system, was their favorite hot weather forage.

From Project Gutenberg

I pray you to present me affectionately to your family and that of Tuckahoe.

From Project Gutenberg

She was a woman of a hateful disposition, and treated the little stranger from Tuckahoe with extreme harshness.

From Project Gutenberg