ENGLISH
REFERENCE

walnut

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈwɔɫˌnət// UK //wˈɒlnʌt// wal·nut

n. a large nut with a hard, wrinkled shell and a brain-shaped kernel inside. You can eat them raw, roasted, or use them in baking.

n. the edible seed of a tree in the genus Juglans, characterized by a hard, furrowed shell and a lobed kernel. Also refers to the wood of this tree, valued for its dark color and durability in furniture making.


SIMPLE

I added some chopped walnut to the salad for extra crunch.

CONTEXTUAL

The baker specializes in a traditional cake made with ground walnut and local honey.

COMPLEX

The antique desk was crafted from solid walnut, showcasing a deep grain that had only grown more beautiful with a century of polishing.

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”.

Usage

Countable when referring to the individual nut; uncountable when referring to the wood or the flavor as a mass.

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