Chestnut

(chĕs'nut), n. [A.-S. cystel, chestnut, and cyst-beám, cysten-beám, chestnut-tree, O. Eng. ches-teine, chestagne, chesten, chestnut, O. H. Ger. chestina, kestina, M. H. Ger. kestene, chestine, costane, N. H. Ger. kastanie, O. Fr. chastagne, castagne, N. Fr. châtaigne, Pr. & Pg. castanha, Sp. castaña, It. castagna, from Lat. castanea, Gr. καστάνον, from Καστάνα, a city of Pontus, called also Καστάναια, where chestnut-trees grew in abundance, and whence they were introduced into Europe.] (Bot.) (a.) The fruit, seed, or nut of a tree belonging to the genus Castanea (C. vesca), inclosed in a prickly pericarp or bur. (b.) The tree itself, or its timber.