butternut Hear it!

butternut definition

☆ but·ter·nut (-nut′)

noun

  1. the white walnut tree (Juglans cinerea) of E North America, with compound leaves and hard-shell nuts
  2. its wood, often used in place of the heavier black walnut
    1. its edible, oily nut
    2. the souari nut

  4. Etymology: from the soldiers' homespun clothing, dyed brown with butternut bark dye

    Slang a soldier or supporter of the Confederacy

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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