chestnuts

Noun

chestnut (countable and uncountable, plural chestnuts)

1. (countable) An edible nut (technically a fruit) of the Spanish chestnut or sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa); also (chiefly preceded by a descriptive word), a nut from a related shrub or tree; or a similar nut from an unrelated plant.
   • Of trouth the cheſtain trees brynge forth the ſoft ſwete cheſtnutte out of the ſharpe pricking ⁊ hard huſke.1531 March 20 (date written; Gregorian calendar), [Antonio de Guevara], “Howe the Emperour Reasoned with the Maysters that shulde Lerne His Sonne”, in John Bourcher knyghte Lord Barners [i.e., John...

   Synonyms:

   Spanish chestnut, sweet chestnut

2. (countable) In full chestnut tree: the shrub or tree that bears this nut, the Spanish chestnut or sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa); also (chiefly preceded by a descriptive word), a shrub or tree of the genus Castanea.
   • The Cheſnut delighteth in ſhadowie places and mountaynes whoſe ſituation is towardes the North.1578, Rembert Dodoens, “Of the Chesnut Tree”, in Henry Lyte, transl., A Niewe Herball, or Historie of Plantes: […], London: […] [Henry [i.e., Hendrik van der] Loë for] Gerard Dewes, […], →OCLC, 6th...

   Synonyms:

   Spanish chestnut, sweet chestnut

   1. (uncountable) Wood of a chestnut tree.
3. (broadly, uncountable) A dark, reddish-brown colour, like that of chestnut fruit (noun sense 1).
   • Roſ[alind]. I'faith his haire is of a good colour. / Cel[ia]. An excellent colour: / Your Cheſſnut vvas euer the onely colour: […]c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
4. (broadly, countable) A horse with a reddish-brown coat, mane and tail.
   • [T]he noble Vice-President of the Club, Lord Carington […] led the way with his chestnuts, having a distinguished brother whip, Lord Londesborough, by his side.1871 August, “‘Our Van.’ The Invoice.—July Jocundities.”, in Baily’s Monthly Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, volume XX, London: A. H. Baily & Co., […], →OCLC, page 308
5. (broadly, countable) An oval or round horny plate located on the inner side of the leg of a horse or other equines, which is thought by some people to correspond with the thumbnail of other animals.

   Synonyms:

   night eye

See all 9 meanings of chestnut