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