ENGLISH
REFERENCE

walnut

n. · adj.
US //ˈwɔɫˌnət// UK //wˈɒlnʌt// wal·nut
  1. 1 the nut (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    an edible nut with a hard, wrinkled shell and a brain-like shape inside.

    the edible seed of any tree of the genus Juglans, typically referring to the common English or black walnut.

    Example

    She added chopped walnuts to the salad for a bit of crunch.

    Example

    The recipe calls for toasted walnuts to enhance the earthy flavour of the roasted beetroot and goat cheese salad.

  2. 2 the wood (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the dark, strong wood from a walnut tree, often used for furniture.

    the hard, dark-coloured timber of the walnut tree, valued for its grain and durability in fine woodworking.

    Example

    The old desk was made of solid walnut and felt very heavy.

    Example

    The artisan selected a piece of seasoned walnut for the tabletop, highlighting the natural swirls of the grain in the final polish.

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  1. 3 the colour (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a dark brown colour like the wood of a walnut tree.

    a rich, dark brown hue resembling the natural colour of walnut timber.

    Example

    The leather seats were a deep walnut that matched the car's interior.

    Example

    The designer recommended painting the study in a warm walnut to create a more studious and traditional atmosphere.

  2. 4 colour description (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a dark brown colour.

    possessing a dark brown colour characteristic of walnut wood.

    Example

    He wore a pair of walnut boots with his blue jeans.

    Example

    The cabinetry featured walnut finishes that contrasted elegantly with the white marble countertops.

Origin

From Middle English walnote, walnutte, walnotte, from Old English wealhhnutu (“walnut”, literally “foreign nut”), from Proto-Germanic walhaz (“foreigner”) + hnuts (“nut”). Cognate with Dutch walnoot, German Walnuss, Swedish valnöt, Icelandic valhneta. Compare more recent term Welsh onion, which also uses Welsh to mean “foreign”.

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