horse chestnut

any of a genus (Aesculus) of shrubs and trees of the horse-chestnut family, including buckeyes; esp., a tree (A. hippocastanum) with large, palmately compound leaves, clusters of white flowers, and glossy, brown seeds
a seed of this tree

adjective

designating a family (Hippocastanaceae, order Sapindales) of dicotyledonous trees, including the horse chestnuts

Origin: transl. of obs. botanical L Castanea equina: reason for name uncert.

See horse chestnut in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of several trees of the genus Aesculus, especially the European species A. hippocastanum, having opposite, palmately compound leaves, erect clusters of white flowers tinged with red or yellow, and spiny or smooth capsules containing large shiny brown seeds.
The seed of any of these plants.

Origin:

Origin: Perhaps from a former use to cure cough in horses

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