hickory

hick·o·ry

noun \ˈhi-k(ə-)rē\

plural hick·o·ries

Definition of HICKORY

1

a : any of a genus (Carya) of North American hardwood trees of the walnut family that often have sweet edible nuts

b : the usually tough wood of a hickory

2

: a switch or cane (as of hickory wood) used especially for punishing a child

— hickory adjective

Origin of HICKORY

short for obsolete pokahickory, from Virginia Algonquian pawcohiccora food prepared from pounded nuts

First Known Use: 1670

Hick·o·ry

geographical name \ˈhi-kə-rē\

Definition of HICKORY

city W cen North Carolina pop 37,222

hickory

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of about 18 species of deciduous timber and nut-producing trees that make up the genus Carya, in the walnut family. About 15 species are native to eastern North America and 3 to eastern Asia. The fruit is an egg-shaped nut enclosed in a fleshy husk. Some species—principally shagbark hickory (C. ovata), shellbark hickory (C. laciniosa), mockernut hickory (C. tomentosa), and pecan—produce large, sweet-tasting, edible nuts. The pecan, the most valuable species economically, is cultivated for its flavourful nuts and its light-coloured wood. The wood of other hickories is used as fuel and for tool handles, sports equipment, furniture, and flooring.