nut

nut [nut]

n.

[ME nutte < OE hnutu, akin to Ger nuss < IE * kneu-, lump, nut (< base * ken-, to squeeze together) > L nux, MIr cnū]

1. the dry, one-seeded fruit of any of various trees or shrubs, consisting of a kernel, often edible, in a hard and woody or tough and leathery shell, more or less separable from the seed itself, as the walnut, pecan, chestnut, acorn, etc.

2. the kernel, or meat, of such a fruit

3. loosely any hard-shell fruit that will keep more or less indefinitely, as a peanut, almond, etc.

4. a small block, usually of metal, with a threaded hole through the center, for screwing onto a bolt, screw, etc.

5.

a) a ridge of ebony or other hard material at the top of the fingerboard of a stringed instrument, over which the strings pass

b) the small knob at the end of a violin bow, for tightening or loosening the hairs

6. Informal the initial cost of an undertaking, or the amount of money it is necessary to take in before a profit is realized on it

7. Slang

a) the head

b) [pl.] the testicles: a vulgar usage

8. Slang

a) a foolish, crazy, or eccentric person

b) a devotee; fan

9. Printing EN (sense 2): See also NUTS

vi.

nutted, nutting

to hunt for or gather nuts

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hard nut to crack or tough nut to crack

a person, problem, or thing difficult to understand or deal with

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off one's nut

Slang foolish, silly, or crazy