water chinquapin

noun

1. an American lotus, Nelumbo lutea, having pale-yellow flowers and an edible tuber and seed.
2. the edible parts of this plant.

water chinquapin

noun

1. a North American aquatic plant, Nelumbo lutea, having large umbrella-shaped leaves, pale yellow flowers, and edible nutlike seeds: family Nelumbonaceae Compare chinquapin

Word History and Origins

Origin of water chinquapin¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

The seeds of this species are eaten by the natives, the same as the aborigines of this country gathered the seeds of our indigenous Nelumbium luteum, under the name of water chinquapin, using them for food in the late fall and winter.

From Project Gutenberg