Nut

n. [A-S. hnutu, hnut, hnyt, Icel. hnyt, hnot, nyt, Sw. nöt, Dan. nödd, D. noot, O. H. Ger. hnuz, nuz, N. H. Ger. nusz, not nearly allied to Lat. nux, nucis, but to Ir. cnudh, cnu, and Gael. cnùth, cnò.]

1Sense 1. The fruit of certain trees and shrubs, consisting of a hard shell inclosing a kernel.

2Sense 2. A small block, of metal or wood, containing a concave or female screw, used for retaining or tightening a bolt, and the like.

3Sense 3. (Naut.) A projection on each side of the shank of an anchor, to secure the stock in its place. Totten.

Check-nut, jam-nut, lock-nut, a nut placed in contact with the main nut on the same bolt, to keep the main nut from turning.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. NUTTED; p. pr. & vb. n. NUTTING.] To gather nuts.